Portugal aims to increase renewable energy sources

The government of Portugal intends to have 45 percent of the country’s electricity coming from renewable energy sources such as wind farms, solar energy and hydroelectric dams, by the year 2010.  By the year 2020, renewable energy might account for 55 percent of the energy sources. If these goals are reached, they will put Portugal near the top of the list for European countries, along with Sweden and Denmark. A new wind farm, with 120 wind turbines, is currently being installed in the Minho Valley in northern Portugal and is expected to supply 12 percent of the country’s requirements when it is complete.  Ten new dams are also planned, and existing ones are being upgraded. One of the largest solar power stations in the world is about to be completed in Moura, in the Alentejo region. These projects are in addition to the wave-energy generating project being constructed out to sea at this time.