Iberdrola authorized to build Portugal’s largest wind farm

Iberdrola has received final environmental approval to build a 274 MW wind farm in Portugal, marking a key step towards decarbonization and energy independence.

Share:

Parc éolien Iberdrola Portugal

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Iberdrola, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, has obtained final environmental approval from the Portuguese government to build the country’s largest wind farm. This 274 MW infrastructure will be located in the Vila Real and Braga districts. It is part of the Tâmega hydroelectric complex, and will represent a major step forward in Portugal’s energy transition. Iberdrola continues to invest in renewable energies in Portugal, having inaugurated the installation of two photovoltaic complexes in 2023.

A large-scale project

The 274 MW wind farm, which will supply clean energy to around 128,000 homes, is Portugal’s largest hybridization project. It will operate the grid injection point already built for the Tâmega hydroelectric complex, thus combining wind and hydro power. This hybridization will enable more stable and efficient use of renewable resources, reducing dependence on variable environmental conditions.
The Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (APA) granted final approval after a thorough environmental impact assessment. This decision marks a crucial step in the development of the Tâmega Eólico project. The next step for Iberdrola will be to obtain a production license from Portugal’s Directorate General for Energy and Geology, with construction scheduled to start in early 2025.

State-of-the-art technology and environmental impact

The new wind farm will complement the Tâmega hydroelectric complex, increasing the supply of green, competitive energy to the Portuguese power grid. Hybrid installations, using the same grid connection point and sharing infrastructure such as the substation and evacuation lines, will reduce environmental impact compared to two independent installations.
Iberdrola will implement various environmental measures to protect local ecosystems. Planting of native species and forest management actions will be pursued, in addition to the creation of pastures, the planting of fleshy fruit species, the recovery of ponds and the installation of bat nesting boxes. Ecological monitoring of systems (birds, bats, wolves, flora and habitats) will be implemented to minimize potential impacts.

Tâmega hydroelectric complex

The Tâmega hydroelectric complex is one of the largest hydroelectric projects built in Europe in the last 25 years. Comprising three power plants – Alto Tâmega (160 MW), Gouvães (880 MW) and Daivões (118 MW) – it represents a total installed capacity of 1,158 MW, representing a 6% increase in Portugal’s installed electrical capacity.
The Tâmega complex is capable of producing 1,766 GWh per year, covering the energy needs of neighboring municipalities and the cities of Braga and Guimarães, i.e. 440,000 households. What’s more, it can store 40 million kWh, equivalent to the energy consumption of 11 million people for 24 hours.
Iberdrola continues to promote energy independence and decarbonization by diversifying production sources and reducing CO2 emissions by 1.2 million tonnes a year. The project will also generate significant economic activity and employment in the region, with up to 3,500 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs.
This emblematic project, worth over 1.5 billion euros, underlines Iberdrola’s commitment to a sustainable energy future for Portugal and Europe.

US wind capacity fell in Q2, but developers anticipate a sharp increase by late 2025, with 46 GW of new capacity forecast by 2029 and a peak in 2027.
Engie has signed a renewable electricity supply contract with Apple covering 173 MW of installed capacity in Italy, with commissioning scheduled between 2026 and 2027.
Renova a soumis une méthodologie d’évaluation environnementale pour un projet éolien terrestre de 280MW à Higashidori, renforçant son positionnement sur les technologies renouvelables au Japon.
The joint venture between BP and JERA ends its offshore wind ambitions in the United States, citing an unfavourable economic and regulatory environment for continuing the development of the Beacon Wind project.
With a 300 MW partnership signed with Nadara, Q ENERGY exceeds 1 GW of wind repowering projects in France, reinforcing its position in a market driven by public investment dynamics.
The acquisition of Cosmic Group by FairWind consolidates its position in Australia and marks a strategic expansion into New Zealand and Japan.
Danish manufacturer Vestas has paused construction of its planned facility in Poland, originally set for 2026, citing weaker-than-expected European offshore wind demand.
British operator Equitix has been selected to take over transmission assets of the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, a £450mn ($547mn) project awarded under Ofgem’s tenth tender round.
Energiequelle GmbH has launched replacement work for old turbines at its Minden-Hahlen site, aiming for long-term structural maintenance with the installation of three new 200-metre machines.
GE Vernova will equip the Ialomiţa wind farm with 42 turbines of 6.1 MW, strengthening its presence in the European onshore wind sector with a 252 MW project in partnership with Greenvolt.
Eversource Energy posts a one-time $75mn charge linked to unforeseen costs in the Revolution Wind project, while tightening its 2025 earnings forecast.
The Renewables Infrastructure Group has signed a ten-year power purchase agreement with Virgin Media O2 for its onshore wind farms in the United Kingdom, ensuring price stability for both parties.
Eight local associations in Normandy and Hauts-de-France will receive a total of €120,000, financed by revenues from three RWE wind farms, to support public-impact projects in 2025.
CWP Europe formalised two major projects in Albania and Montenegro with backing from the European Commission, reinforcing the Balkans’ integration into the European energy market.
Elawan Energy secured two wind power projects totalling 92MW in Romania through a long-term public contract, strengthening its presence in the region with operations scheduled to begin in 2028.
A study conducted in the Gulf of Lion highlights the risk of collisions between migratory birds and floating wind turbine blades, as the region prepares to host 19 additional turbines by 2031.
Taaleri Energia’s SolarWind III Fund partners with Lords LB Asset Management to develop a 112 MW onshore wind project in Smiltene, scheduled for commissioning in early 2027.
The Dinawan Wind Farm project, first phase of a 1.3 GW energy hub, was selected in the fourth tender round of the Capacity Investment Scheme launched by the Australian Government.
RWE has completed construction of the Kail wind farm, comprising three turbines totalling 12.9 MW, marking its first commissioning in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Ignitis Group has officially submitted its bid to develop a 700 MW offshore wind project in the Baltic Sea, under a Lithuanian state-supported tender scheme.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.