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The Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, and Iberdrola President, Ignacio Galán, inaugurated this morning in Portugal the Tâmega gigabatterie, A large hydroelectric energy storage project, the construction of which lasted almost eight years and included an investment of more than 1.5 billion euros.
He also participated in the event The Portuguese Minister for Environment and Climate Action, Duarte Cordero, the Secretary of State for Environment and Energy, João Galampa, and the heads of the Municipal Chambers of Ribeira de Pena, Vila Boca de Aguilar, Boticas, Chaves, Montalegre and Cabiceras de Pasto.
About two hundred people attended the event, including suppliers, employees, local and national authorities, journalists from Spain and Portugal, which represents an international milestone in technology, civil works and environmental investments.
With a capacity of 1,158 MW, The Tâmega power generation system is capable of storing 40 million kilowatt hours, equivalent to the energy consumed by 11 million people for 24 hours in their homes, This makes it one of the largest energy storage systems in Europe.
The complex consists of three power plants – Alto Tâmega, Daivões and Gouvães – Thanks to its pumping capacity, it can store energy for use when it is needed; A cycle of energy efficiency and a true circular economy that would increase the total installed electric power in Portugal and avoid the emission of 1.2 million tons of carbon dioxide annually – without limiting several million more thanks to renewable energies that can be integrated into the system – thus supporting the fight against climate change.
This large engineering project, in which several thousand people worked, will prevent the import of more than 160 thousand tons of oil per year, Thus, consolidating its position as a social and economic engine and creating job opportunities in the region.
In addition, The construction of the complex in this region of northern Portugal was accompanied by an ambitious social, cultural and environmental action plan, For the benefit of seven municipalities, more than 50 million euros have been allocated to them.
As pointed out by Ignacio Galán, the development of this large complex was made possible thanks to the environment of legal stability and good dialogue created by the Portuguese government in recent years. Moreover, this infrastructure demonstrates that the two main goals of European energy policy, energy independence and decarbonization, are fully compatible when working on electrification of the economic and production system.
during his speech, Ignacio Galán also announced that the company will be able to double investments in gigabatterie Over the next few years, to reach 3,000 million euros, which will be allocated to new wind farms and solar power plants already under development or construction.
Thus, Iberdrola pursues its sustainable growth strategy that has made it the largest electricity company in Europe, investing 140,000 million euros over the past 20 years and supporting more than 19,000 companies through its purchases, thanks to which 400,000 jobs are generated. In tax contributions alone, Iberdrola spends €8,000 million annually in the more than 30 countries in which it operates.
