Dozens of residents in the Alcalar, Monte Judeu and Serra e Mar areas of Portimão were present at a meeting to express their concern about the overhead power lines that pass through their properties, claiming that the route violates the Municipal Master Plan (PDM).
According to Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã (CM), residents want “the power lines to be underground to respect the area’s natural landscape, our health and to go with what was stipulated in the PDM”.
These requirements led to a petition signed by 80 people and sent to the local Câmara, the region’s economy department (Direcção Regional da Economia do Algarve), EDP and Barlavento Wind Energy Park (PEB).
“This is a scandal and a danger to our health. The lines are about seven metres from our houses,” said a resident.
Another resident, who lives in Serra e Mar, said his house had suffered a devaluation of approximately 500,000 Euros after installation of the lines and that he can’t sell it because of this.
Residents claim that the routes of the two high-voltage EDP and PEB lines do not “respect the route” that was pre-defined in the PDM and want to know why Portimão municipality has changed it.
Luís Carito, vice-mayor of Portimão Câmara, attended the meeting and promised the residents that the situation would be investigated and an answer to the problem would be given “very soon”.
