Portugal began reducing the production of hydroelectricity in various dams earlier this year – but now it is a policy covering 15 of the country’s dams. The measure, approved in last week’s council of ministers, will remain in place until “minimum useful capacity quotas” have been attained. Explain reports, the intention is a create a ‘reserve of water, equivalent to around six days of average national consumption, which cannot be used unless there is a risk to the country’s electricity supply. Ironically, the measure came into force yesterday, on National Water Day – a moment in which President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa warned of the need to secure sustainable supplies of water for future generations, and during a year of extreme drought affecting most of Europe.
