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Portugal, and given its size, has demonstrated that it is one of the references in terms of progress in the energy transition, it has been fulfilling and proposing even more ambitious goals in relation to the PNEC, making it still very attractive to actors of the market, a fact that can be seen with all those who are present today with one or more technologies, and continue to invest from the north to the south of the country.
Pioneers in the construction of the largest European floating photovoltaic plant, located in the Alqueva dam, as well as the largest photovoltaic plant in Europe in the licensing phase, Fernando Pessoa, located in Santiago do Cacém and with a power of more than 1,000 MWp, and not forgetting the fact that the last coal plants were switched off in 2021, the Pego and Sines thermoelectric plants, much earlier than initially planned, Portugal is today a mature market, with experienced players and still major challenges ahead.
In addition to significant milestones, which are indeed interesting, but in an ecosystem that is constantly evolving, the reality on the ground indicates that much more needs to be done, to be foreseen now, the development of AI, railways, transport of goods and people , mobility, energy efficiency and others, and the consumption associated with this entire movement begins to reveal other even greater challenges. It is necessary to evolve towards an effective and efficient energy ecosystem, making it attractive to other stakeholders, being a case of balance between production and storage, transport and distribution, and finally, consumption.
And in this sense, the hybridization of some wind and photovoltaic plants, the introduction of storage systems (BESS) in stand-alone format or in existing plants, optimizing production, will certainly contribute significantly to achieving the desired goals. In this chapter, there is still a lack of clarity on how these storage systems can make their respective contribution.
All this investment in the energy sector will allow us to become increasingly energy independent, reducing the import of fossil fuels and contributing significantly to carbon neutrality.
Soon, we will be able to assess the impact of simplifying licensing processes, considering the intentions of the current Government, through the creation of the EMER2030 Mission Structure and its actions together with all public entities involved in the process.
Given the abundant resource in the Iberian Peninsula, have you ever imagined its productive capacity to provide other countries in the European Union? And vice versa with regard to other technologies in the central and northern countries of the European Union? A confirmation of this unification is the current regime between Portugal and Spain. The European Union must come together energetically to consolidate this energy transformation that we all want and are part of.
As technical advisors specializing in renewables and APREN associates, we at SÓLIDA will continue to focus on what is our DNA and actively contribute to accelerating the transition of the energy model to a 100% renewable, safe, efficient and low environmental impact sustainable system , both in Portugal and in other countries where we are present.