Pego power station - 682 MW Coal Power Plant in Portugal

Pego power station is a coal-fired power plant located in Portugal, with a capacity of 682 MW. It is owned and operated by Tejo Energia SA, a major player in the Portuguese energy sector. The plant is operational and contributes to the national grid, supporting industrial and residential electricity demand. The facility uses coal as its primary fuel, a technology that has been widely deployed in Europe but is subject to increasing regulatory pressure under the EU Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU). The directive mandates Best Available Techniques (BAT) for emission control, including limits on SOx, NOx, and particulate matter. As a coal plant, Pego power station must comply with these standards, which may require investments in flue-gas desulfurization and selective catalytic reduction. Environmentally, the plant's coal combustion results in significant CO2 emissions, contributing to Portugal's carbon footprint. Its location in central Portugal, near the Tagus River, may affect local air quality and water resources. Its capacity places it in the medium-to-large scale for Portuguese coal plants. The facility's role in grid stability and base-load power generation is notable, though the transition to renewables in Portugal may impact its long-term operation.

The Pego power station's coal combustion generates CO2, SOx, NOx, and particulate matter, affecting local air quality and contributing to Portugal's greenhouse gas emissions. Its proximity to the Tagus River raises concerns about water use and thermal discharge. The plant operates under EU emissions standards, which require continuous monitoring and pollution control technologies. The surrounding region's air quality may be impacted, particularly during periods of high electricity demand.