An online petition calling for the protection of Morgado de Apra, a vastly unspoilt area in the Loulé municipality, from becoming an industrial zone was launched in late July.
The petition, which aims to garner 500 signatures, was initiated by local resident Corinna Krabiell-Melinkat, who strongly protests against “the conversion of an environmentally-protected part of the Algarve into an industrial zone” as the construction of a solar plant is already in advanced stages and an additional wind farm is apparently planned in the vicinity (see the Algarve Resident edition of June 14 2013).
“Renewable energy is the future and we applaud all member states for following this EU initiative, but please ensure that renewable energy projects do not affect the local population, fauna, flora and landscape,” states the petition.
“We petition the ministers and the Direcção Geral de Energia e Geologia to reconsider the decision and we want an immediate building freeze and the inclusion of the affected population in all matters concerning these projects.”
Signatories, more than 350 at the time of going to press, believe the population living in this area has not been adequately informed about these projects and the works have gone ahead “without due respect to consultation with the affected residents”.
“A wind farm brings health risks to the affected population. Shadow-flicker, acoustic emissions, audible and infrasonic noise can affect sleep and may provoke depression and neurological problems,” the petition continues.
The petition can be found at:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/SAVE_MORGADO_DE_APRA_ALGARVE_PORTUGAL/
