Overview
Vale Grande is an operational onshore wind farm in Portugal with a capacity of 12.3 MW, contributing to the country's renewable energy goals under the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
Vale Grande is an operational onshore wind farm located in Portugal. With a capacity of 12.3 MW, it represents a medium-scale wind energy facility within the Portuguese renewable energy landscape. The facility is part of Portugal's growing wind power sector, which benefits from favorable wind conditions along the Atlantic coast and inland regions. The facility operates under Portugal's national renewable energy framework, which aligns with the EU Renewable Energy Directive III (2023/2413) targeting 42.5% renewable energy by 2030. Portugal has implemented feed-in tariffs and grid connection regimes to support wind energy development. The 12.3 MW capacity places Vale Grande in the small-to-medium scale category for onshore wind farms in the region. Vale Grande contributes to Portugal's energy transition by generating clean electricity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The wind farm supports local grid stability and helps meet national renewable energy targets. Its operation also aligns with broader EU climate goals, providing environmental benefits through zero-emission power generation.
Environmental context
The Vale Grande wind farm is situated in a region with moderate wind resources typical of inland Portugal. Onshore wind farms like this can have visual impacts on the landscape and may affect local bird and bat populations. However, Portugal's regulatory framework requires environmental impact assessments and mitigation measures to minimize these effects. The facility's relatively modest scale reduces its overall environmental footprint compared to larger installations.
Frequently asked questions
Vale Grande is an onshore wind farm located in Portugal, with coordinates approximately 40.1870° N, -7.9197° E.
Vale Grande has a capacity of 12.3 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale wind energy facility.
The operator of Vale Grande wind farm is not publicly listed, but it operates under Portugal's national renewable energy regulations.
Portugal's wind energy sector is supported by the EU Renewable Energy Directive III, which sets a 42.5% renewable energy target by 2030, and national feed-in tariffs and grid connection policies.
Onshore wind farms can have visual impacts on landscapes and may affect bird and bat populations. However, environmental impact assessments and mitigation measures are required under Portuguese law to address these concerns.