Overview
Espinhaço do Cão is a 10 MW onshore wind farm in Portugal, operational and contributing to the country's renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
Espinhaço do Cão is an onshore wind farm located in Portugal, with a capacity of 10 megawatts. The facility is operational and plays a role in Portugal's renewable energy portfolio, which is supported by the EU Renewable Energy Directive III (2023/2413) targeting 42.5% renewable energy by 2030. The wind farm utilizes wind turbines to generate electricity, a common technology in Portugal's wind-rich regions. Portugal has a strong regulatory framework for renewable energy, including feed-in tariffs and grid connection regimes that have fostered wind energy development. The 10 MW scale places it in the small-to-medium category for onshore wind. Environmentally, the facility contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supports Portugal's goal of carbon neutrality. Wind farms like Espinhaço do Cão help diversify the energy mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, while also facing typical challenges such as visual impact and bird/bat interactions, which are managed through siting and mitigation measures.
Environmental context
The wind farm is located in a region with moderate wind resources, typical for onshore wind development in Portugal. Environmental considerations include potential impacts on local bird and bat populations, as well as visual landscape changes. Proper siting and environmental assessments help mitigate these effects, ensuring the facility operates sustainably within the local ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
Espinhaço do Cão is an onshore wind farm located in Portugal, with coordinates approximately 37.22° N, -8.78° W.
The wind farm has a capacity of 10 megawatts, making it a small-to-medium scale onshore wind facility.
The operator of Espinhaço do Cão wind farm is not publicly listed, but it is operational and connected to the Portuguese grid.
Portugal follows the EU Renewable Energy Directive III, which sets a target of 42.5% renewable energy by 2030. The country also has national feed-in tariffs and grid connection policies that support wind energy development.
Onshore wind farms can have visual impacts on landscapes and potential effects on bird and bat populations. These are typically addressed through environmental impact assessments and mitigation measures during planning and operation.