SOLAR THERMAL electricity could be introduced into the national network in June 2008 following the development of an innovative new project in Tavira. Equipment will be installed in Sítio da Capelinha and work on the site is due to begin in January next year.
According to Manuel Collares Pereira of the Instituto Nacional de Engenharia, Techologia and Inovação (INETI), who presented the project to the President of the Republic Cavaco Silva, last Friday, the plant will create 50 new jobs and initially produce around 11,500 megawatts of power per year. The project is being described as innovative, due to the fact that for the first time in this country, 70,000 square metres of mirrors will be used to concentrate solar energy. The electricity is produced using solar radiation to heat a fluid and produce steam to drive turbine generators. The estimated investment for the set up of this project is between 15 and 20 million euros.
Partners in the project with Tavira Câmara include the Algarve University and INETI, Australian specialists in the alternative energy sector.
