Renewable energy in Portugal
Renewable energy in Portugal was the source for 52%[1] of the country's electricity generation in 2010 - an increase of 28% in 5 years.[2]
In 2001, the Portuguese government launched a new energy policy instrument – the E4 Programme (Energy Efficiency and Endogenous Energies), consisting of a set of multiple, diversified measures aimed at promoting a consistent, integrated approach to energy supply and demand. By promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy (endogenous) sources, the programme seeks to upgrade the competitiveness of the Portuguese economy and to modernize the country’s social fabric, while preserving the environment by reducing gas emissions, especially the carbon dioxide responsible for climate change.[3]
While in the past 5 years the main priorities were focused on the introduction of natural gas (aiming at progressively replacing oil and coal in the energy balance) and liberalization of the energy market (by opening this former state-owned sector to competition and private investment), the emphasis for the next 8-10 years will be put on energy efficiency (supply and demand sides) and use of endogenous (renewable) energy.[3]
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[edit] Hydro power
The largest hydroelectric power station is at the Alto Lindoso dam, with a capacity of 630 MW. Portugal has about 100 small hydro systems, with a capacity of 256 MW, which produce 815 GWh/year.[4]
[edit] Wind power
In March 2007, there was 1,874 MW of wind power generating capacity installed in Portugal, with another 908 MW under construction. The major wind turbine manufacturers in the Portuguese market are Enercon, Vestas and Gamesa.[5]
The 240 MW Alto Minho Wind Farm in the Viana do Castelo district became fully operational in November, 2008.[6] At the time of completion it was Europe's largest on-shore wind farm.[7]
Other major wind farms which are operating, or under construction, include: Arada-Montemuro Wind Farm (112 MW), Gardunha Wind Farm (106 MW), Pinhal Interior Wind Farm (144 MW) and Ventominho Wind Farm (240 MW). In December 2010, there was 3,937 MW of wind power nameplate capacity installed in (Mainland, excluding Madeira and Azores) Portugal.
[edit] Solar power
A large photovoltaic power project, the Serpa solar power plant, has been completed in Portugal, in one of Europe's sunniest areas.[8] The 11 megawatt plant covers 150 acres (0.61 km2) and has 52,000 PV panels. The panels are raised 2 metres off the ground and the area will remain productive grazing land. The plant provides enough energy for 8,000 homes and will save an estimated 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.[9][10]
Not far from there, Moura Photovoltaic Power Station is under construction. With more than 376,000 solar modules, it will have an installed capacity of 62MWp when finished. The first stage of construction is scheduled for completion in 2008. A solar panel factory is also being built in the city of Moura, where there are plans to build a research lab.
[edit] Geothermal power
Portugal's main investment for the use of this type of energy is in the Azores. There has been a small scale use of this energy source since the 80s in Chaves and S. Pedro do Sul, Continental Portugal providing 3 MWt.
In the Azores the use of Geothermal energy is widespread, with investments in 8 of the 9 Islands, collectively producing some 235.5 MWt. In 2003, 25% of the electricity consumed in São Miguel was produced by geothermal energy.[1]
[edit] Wave power
Aguçadoura Wave Farm is the world's first commercial wave farm. It is located three miles (5 km) offshore near Póvoa de Varzim north of Porto. The farm uses three Pelamis wave energy converters to convert the motion of the ocean surface waves into electricity. The farm was officially opened on the 23 September 2008 by the Portuguese minister of the economy.[11][12]
[edit] See also
- List of renewable energy topics by country
- Renewable energy in the European Union
- Energy policy of the European Union
- Renewable energy development
- Renewable energy commercialization
[edit] References
- ^ Energias Renováveis - Estatísticas Rápidas, fevereiro de 2011
- ^ ROSENTHAL, ELISABETH (August 9, 2010). "Portugal Gives Itself a Clean-Energy Makeover". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/10/science/earth/10portugal.html. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
- ^ a b Portugal PV technology status and prospects
- ^ :: Portal das Energias Renováveis :: Energia Hídrica ::
- ^ Wind farms in Portugal, March 2007
- ^ "Europe's biggest wind energy park inaugurated in Portugal". Yahoo News. Thu, November 27 12:56 AM. http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20081127/982/tsc-europe-s-biggest-wind-energy-park-in.html. Retrieved 2008-12-05.[dead link]
- ^ Tremlett, Giles (2008-12-02). "Europe's biggest wind farm switches on". London: guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/02/portugal-wind-power. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Major solar power plant opens in Portugal
- ^ Portugal starts huge solar plant
- ^ World's largest solar power plant to be built
- ^ "23 de Setembro de 2008". Government of Portugal. http://www.portugal.gov.pt/portal/pt/comunicacao/agenda/20080923.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-24.
- ^ Jha, Alok (2008-09-25). "Making waves: UK firm harnesses power of the sea ... in Portugal". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/sep/25/greentech.alternativeenergy. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Renewable energy in Portugal |
- Renewable Energy in Portugal
- Portugal -- Renewable energy facts sheet
- Renewable energy businesses in Portugal
- Solar Energy Society of Portugal
- Portugal: Making Up for Lost Time in Renewable Energy
- Europe's biggest wind farm switches on
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