Finerge stresses it has no projects ‘at this point’ in Sotavento
Residents in a rural backwater of the Sotavento Algarve have been exasperated to discover a ‘green energy giant’ is picking out landowners, one by one, to get signed contracts giving it the right to install wind turbines on the Serra de Caldeirão hillside.
It is not just that there is no plan requesting authorisation for a new wind park in the area, but that a similar plan, years ago, for almost exactly the same spot, was fought hard against, and won, on environmental grounds.
As a number of residents point out, “do we have to go through all this again?!”
The risks to fauna (including Bonelli’s eagle, and other protected bird species), potential impact on underground water sources and on land/ property values identified in the initial environmental impact assessment still apply today. But what does seem to be different is this time around landowners are being approached to sign contracts well ahead of anything officially ‘happening’.
One confirmed to the Resident that, should the project go ahead, he expects to receive between €10,000 and 14,000 a year.
Right now, he is already being paid a lesser sum for the fact that he has signed a contract.
For this landowner, it is a ‘win-win’ situation. “My rights over the land remain. I can still use it. I won’t need to cut anything down. In other words, whatever is decided, I really don’t mind. If they decide in the end that the eagle needs protecting, ‘fine’; if they don’t, it’s equally‘fine’”.
But others do not quite see it that way.
Salvador Louro, for example, was shown the plan of turbines on his family’s land, and as far as he could deduce, his brother will lose a pine forest planted by their father: something he doesn’t feel comfortable about at all.
Louro is also part of a cork ‘partnership’ on the hillside that almost certainly would be negatively affected.
And then there are the local people who chose the area for its rich natural beauty and who fought the wind farm plan in 2010.
As far as they have been able to understand, the wind park project will take in the areas of As Cruzes, and Água de Tábuas (Tavira municipality), and then extend into São Brás de Alportel.
In all there are at least eight turbines envisaged. Landowners have been being approached since last year. Yet the local municipalities, for now at least, appear to know ‘nothing’.
Probaal is one of the associations that fought the 2010 wind park bid. Today stalwarts still ‘at the helm’ describe themselves as “concerned and disappointed”.
“We know there are Bonelli’s eagles nesting nearby – and that the previous proposal was deemed a danger to them, thus we are baffled as to why this new, larger project can even be suggested. It’s a real shame that 14 years on lessons previously learned have been forgotten and a new band of citizens has again to organise themselves to defend the countryside from an ill-considered wind energy project”, said the association in a statement.
The truth is this new band of citizens could find ‘organising themselves’ more difficult than it was in 2010, bearing in mind a number of locals have already signed contracts with Finerge.
“That definitely doesn’t seem correct”, admits one of Probaal’s principal ‘campaign leaders’ who led recent efforts to quash an ill-considered project for thousands of solar panels covering a principal water catchment area. “It is obviously a tactic, a form of sleight of hand. The “there is no project” way these projects are developed…”
Finerge itself – described in business newspapers years ago as Portugal’s second largest wind energy producer – is adamant: “The questions you raise are extemporaneous, as there are no licences for the site you mention. Any contacts made locally, as (you have) mentioned, refer only to a possible feasibility study for possible future projects, which may not even come about”.
The landowner with whom we talked – who signed a contract with Finerge last year – stressed one has to look at the situation from Finerge’s point of view: “Finerge’s interests are different to those of people who love nature. Businesses have economic interests. There will be a point when things are not hidden, and then there will be ‘public consultation’…” he considered.
Until then, Finerge’s agent (possibly agents) will continue meeting with landowners wherever it best suits them (Salvador Louro tells us they met outside Queluz Palace, near Lisbon). He will show them localisation plans, discuss terms, and draw up contracts.
“Are they really unaware of the unfavourable environmental impact declaration”, wonders one of Probaal’s members. “Or do they know something we don’t?”
Certainly Finerge’s initial statement was inscrutable: “As a sustainable renewable energy development company, Finerge is constantly evaluating possible locations where new wind or solar projects could be developed in close liaison and respect with local communities. Any contacts made locally only refer to possible prospecting for the feasibility of future projects. These projects will depend on the national strategy to be defined to fulfil the 2030 National Energy and Climate Plan”.
natasha.donn@portugalresident.com
