Gavião Council rejects Endesa renewable energy project

The Gavião Municipal Council in the Portalegre district has issued an unfavorable opinion regarding a photovoltaic and wind energy project proposed by Endesa. The project, which involves the 'Atalaia-Torre das Vargens Electrical Line and the Cruzeiro – Concavada Branch to Torre das Vargens at 220 kv', underwent public consultation between July 29 and August 18.

Mayor António Severino stated that the decision was based on the existing density of similar projects in the municipality. He noted that the region already has 400 hectares classified as park areas, with 80 hectares currently occupied by solar panels. Severino emphasized the need for territorial balance, warning that further projects could have 'extremely negative impacts' on the territory, particularly due to the creation of a substation near a local village and the routing of lines from Crato and Ponte Sor through Gavião.

This infrastructure is linked to Endesa's plans to reconvert the former Pego Thermoelectric Power Plant in Abrantes into a facility for renewable energy production and storage.