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