Sousel PSD councilors clarify vote on renewable energy protocol

PSD councilors Nélio Painha and Manuel Machadinha in Sousel have clarified that their recent votes against a municipal protocol were not an opposition to student scholarships. Instead, their dissent targeted the specific agreement between the Sousel Municipality and Hyperion Renewables regarding the Nortada Wind Farm project.

The protocol involves the provision of five scholarships, valued at 1,000 euros each, for master's students in renewable energy engineering. The PSD representatives stated they support academic qualification and youth support but disagree with the funding source and the terms of the protocol, which links the scholarships as a counterpart to the installation of the wind farm, which is expected to operate for 40 years.