By ELOISE WALTON [email protected]
A renewable energy project that will see the installation of a further 29 wind turbines in the Tavira council has been shown the green light by the national environment agency following a favourable environmental impact study.
The scheme, from the renewable energy company ENEOP 2 – Exploração de Parques Eólicos, S.A , is located in the parish of Cachopo and will cost an estimated 70 million euros.
It will provide energy for more than 30,000 people, which, according to the environmental impact study (EIS), corresponds to 7.5 per cent of the region’s population.
The study, however, imposes a number of measures for the project including a change in location for there of the wind turbines and the diversion of some power lines in order to protect the nesting areas of the Bonelli Eagle.
In total, 47 species of fauna were identified by the team who carried out the EIS, of which 16 were found to be on the national list of endangered species.
A programme to help increase the population of wild rabbits in the area and the planting of oak trees to replenish those that must be removed for the project are also part of the plans to minimise the wind farm’s impact on the local environment.
According to the EIS, this project has a working life of around 20 years, before the technology is deemed too old and the site will either be refurbished with new equipment or the wind farm will be decommissioned and the turbines disassembled and removed.
RESIDENTS COMPLAIN
The installation of another three wind turbines by the Porto-based company Cavalum SGPS SA is also being planned for Tavira council in Água de Tábuas, in the parish of Santa Catarina, for which an environmental impact study has been submitted to the regional development commission CCDR (see the Algarve Resident edition August 7, 2009).
British resident Keith Boak, who is part of a group of residents hoping to move the proposed location of these turbines, told the Algarve Resident: “One of the proposed turbines is just 300 metres from my property. I don’t know of anywhere in Europe where they have been placed that close to houses.”
Meanwhile, renewable energies company Grupo DST has announced that it is looking to invest 25 million euros in the production of solar energy in the Alentejo and Algarve regions.
If this project goes ahead, it will involve two solar panel farms, with a total capacity for 5.5 megawatts, one located in Évora in the Alentejo and the other in the Algarve council of Silves.
As well as solar energy production, the project also includes investigation into the development of solar energy production, which would include partnerships with Portuguese universities.
José Teixeira, Grupo DST CEO said: “We are faced with a new challenge for the development of new technologies in the area of solar energy, which puts Portugal at the forefront of the sustainable energies agenda.”
Do you have a view on this story? Please email Editor Inês Lopes at [email protected]
