Overview
Candal/Coelheira is an operational onshore wind farm in Portugal with a capacity of 40 MW, contributing to the country's renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
Candal/Coelheira is an operational onshore wind farm located in Portugal. With a capacity of 40 MW, it represents a medium-scale wind energy facility within the country's growing renewable energy portfolio. The facility harnesses wind power to generate electricity, supporting Portugal's transition to a low-carbon energy system. The wind farm operates under Portugal's national framework aligned with the EU Renewable Energy Directive III (2023/2413), which sets a binding target of 42.5% renewable energy by 2030. Portugal has been a leader in renewable energy, with wind power playing a significant role. The facility uses modern wind turbine technology to convert wind energy into electricity, feeding into the national grid. Environmentally, the Candal/Coelheira wind farm contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based generation. Wind farms in Portugal typically undergo environmental impact assessments to address potential effects on local bird and bat populations, as well as landscape integration. The facility's operation supports Portugal's energy independence and climate goals.
Environmental context
The Candal/Coelheira wind farm is situated in a region of Portugal with favorable wind resources. Onshore wind farms can have visual impacts on the landscape and may affect local bird and bat populations through collisions. However, proper siting and mitigation measures, such as curtailment during migration periods, help reduce these risks. The facility contributes to reducing air pollution and carbon emissions compared to fossil fuel plants.
Frequently asked questions
Candal/Coelheira is an onshore wind farm located in Portugal, with coordinates approximately 40.8404° N, -8.1606° E.
The Candal/Coelheira wind farm has a capacity of 40 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale wind energy facility.
The facility uses wind turbines to convert wind energy into electricity. As an onshore wind farm, it typically employs modern horizontal-axis wind turbines.
Wind farms in Portugal operate under national renewable energy policies aligned with the EU Renewable Energy Directive III, which sets a 42.5% renewable energy target by 2030. Portugal also has feed-in tariffs and grid connection regulations to support wind energy.
Onshore wind farms can impact local bird and bat populations and alter landscapes. Environmental impact assessments are required to mitigate these effects through proper siting, turbine design, and operational measures.