Iberdrola has received the final environmental permit from the Portuguese government to construct a 274MW wind farm in the country.

The project, to be built in the districts of Vila Real and Braga, will be the country’s largest hybrid clean energy scheme.

It will share the grid connection with the Tâmega pumped storage hydro complex, optimising the capacity of the connection point.

The company has received the second and final favourable environmental permit, known as the DCAPE, for the Tâmega Eólico project.

This approval by APA, the Portuguese environment entity, allows for the construction of the project under the conditions of the favourable environmental impact statement obtained in March 2023.

Iberdrola’s next move is to apply for a production licence to the Portuguese Directorate General of Energy and Geology, to commence work in early 2025.

Hybrid generation plants such as this one benefit from shared infrastructure, including substations, and have a reduced environmental impact.

An extension to the existing substation will be constructed to accommodate the new wind farm. The location, already earmarked for renewable generation, allows for the use of common roads and facilities for both wind and hydro projects.

To mitigate environmental impacts, Iberdrola will implement measures to support local ecosystems and fauna, including grass and fruit plantations, pond restoration and the installation of bat nest boxes.

The Tâmega hydroelectric project comprises three power plants: the 160MW Alto Tâmega, the 880MW Gouvães pumped storage and the 118MW Daivões plants.

The latter two will contribute an additional 6% to Portugal’s total installed electrical capacity.

The €1.5bn Tâmega hydroelectric complex has an installed capacity of 1.16GW and can store 40 million kilowatt hours of energy, sufficient to power 11 million people for one day.