Portugal powers ahead as wind champion

Portugal signalled the launch of one of Europe’s biggest wind power projects yesterday – a move that will supply enough electricity for 750,000 homes.

The contract is the equivalent to a quarter of all the wind power installed in the European Union last year. It will help cement the growing reputation of Portugal – a country importing 86% of its energy needs – as a renewable energy champion. This year, it has already approved the building of the world’s largest solar plant.

The country’s emissions surged almost 37% from 1990 to 2003 – the third-highest increase in the world. One of the EU’s poorer countries has, however, already shown signs of leading Europe in renewable energy.

Its energy plans range from the world’s first commercial wave farm to putting a hydroelectric dam on its last big undammed river, the Sabor. The government set aside a €2.5bn renewable energy war chest last year.

It recently granted a licence for the world’s biggest solar energy plant, which will be able to produce enough electricity to power 21,000 homes for the southern town of Moura.

The Guardian