Overview
Meroicinha II is an operational onshore wind farm in Portugal with a capacity of 15 MW, contributing to the country's renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
Meroicinha II is an onshore wind farm located in Portugal, with coordinates approximately 41.387°N, -7.749°W. The facility has an installed capacity of 15 megawatts (MW), placing it in the small-to-medium scale range for wind energy in Europe. It is currently operational and generates electricity from wind power. The wind farm operates under Portugal's national renewable energy framework, which aligns with the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive III (2023/2413), targeting a 42.5% renewable energy share by 2030. Portugal has abundant wind resources, particularly in northern and central regions, and has seen significant growth in onshore wind capacity over the past decade. The facility uses modern wind turbine technology to convert kinetic energy from wind into electrical power. As a renewable energy facility, Meroicinha II contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and diversifying Portugal's energy mix. Wind farms in this region typically support local grid stability and provide clean electricity to nearby communities. The environmental impact includes visual landscape changes and potential effects on local bird and bat populations, though these are managed through siting and operational mitigation measures.
Environmental context
The wind farm is situated in a region of Portugal characterized by hilly terrain and moderate wind speeds, typical for onshore wind development. The local environment includes agricultural and forested areas, which may host bird and bat species. Wind turbines can pose collision risks to flying wildlife, but proper siting and operational curtailment during migration periods help mitigate these impacts. The facility's relatively small scale reduces its overall land-use footprint compared to larger installations.
Frequently asked questions
Meroicinha II is an onshore wind farm located in Portugal, at approximately 41.387°N latitude and -7.749°W longitude.
Meroicinha II has an installed capacity of 15 megawatts (MW), making it a small-to-medium scale wind farm.
Meroicinha II generates electricity from wind power using onshore wind turbines.
Portugal's wind energy sector operates under the EU Renewable Energy Directive III (2023/2413), which sets a binding target of 42.5% renewable energy by 2030, supported by national feed-in tariffs and grid connection policies.
Onshore wind farms can impact local landscapes and wildlife, particularly birds and bats. Mitigation measures include careful siting, environmental impact assessments, and operational curtailment during sensitive periods.