The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) warned this Monday about the Spanish project for a new hydroelectric plant that could have “important environmental effects in Portugal” and that is currently under public consultation.
The details about the “José María de Oriol II Hydroelectric Exploitation” project, which were sent by the Spanish authorities, are available for consultation for 30 business days, until May 28, in the “Participate Portal,” indicates the APA in a statement .
As part of the process, “all opinions and suggestions presented in writing will be considered and appreciated, as long as they are specifically related to the project under evaluation,” it also states.
In the statement, APA states that, having knowledge of the project, “and considering that it could cause significant environmental effects in Portugal,” it informed Spain of Portugal’s interest in participating in the respective project. Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure (AIA).
In response, and within the scope of the “Protocol of action between the Government of the Portuguese Republic and the Government of the Kingdom of Spain on the application to environmental assessments of plans, programs and projects with transboundary effects”, the Spanish authorities sent documentation in relation with the possible transboundary impacts of the project.
The project refers to a new hydroelectric plantReversible building to be built in the municipality of Alcántara, province of Cacerestaking advantage of the existing Cedillo and Alcántara II reservoirs.
The new plant, the responsibility of the Spanish company Iberdrola, “will not affect the way in which the net volume of water discharged downstream of Cedillo is managed,” indicates the documentation provided.
The environmental impact studies made available show that the new project “will produce a moderate environmental impact” and that the effects on the Natura 2000 Network can be minimized.
The Cedillo dam is on the border with Portugal and, given the definition of the line that separates both countries, the Alcántara dam is also very close. Between the two is the Tajo Internacional Natural Park.
In the documentation sent for public consultation, it is noted that in terms of transboundary impacts “a potential impact was detected on the riparian habitats of community interest (HIC) present on the banks of the Cedillo reservoir, as a consequence of the reduction of the level of the reservoir up to level 100 during the execution of the works” (five months during the exterior excavation and construction of cofferdams for the installation of lower intakes, and another five months during the removal of cofferdams and cleaning of the channel, in non-consecutive years).
It was proposed to develop reforestation equivalent to the affected surfaces in areas where access by mechanical means is viable.
The José Mª de Oriol and Cedillo hydroelectric plants already exist in the Alcántara II and Cedillo reservoirs.
The new plant generates a total of 440 MW of installed power and saves the emission of some 355,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year, according to the documents, which represents the generation of 3,600 direct and indirect jobs.
Source: Observadora
