Wind investment boosts Portugal’s renewables edge

Large-scale wind farms are set to receive planning permission in Portugal by the end of the year, boosting the country's portfolio of renewables while further reducing dependency on oil.


Despite recent investment in renewables, (see related story) Portugal’s energy economy still leans heavily towards oil, with last year accounted for 58% of its total energy production.

In June Lisbon announced it would be ploughing €2.5 billion into the development of renewables over the next four years.

According to Economy Minister Manuel Pinho the planned wind farms will generate 1,700 megawatts and cost €900 million, most of which is expected to come from the private sector.

The scheme has the full support of Prime Minister Jose Socrates, himself a former Environment Minister, who has called renewable energy
“the area of utmost importance for our future”.

By Sam Bond

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