Iberdrola has commissioned the 195MW T\u00e2mega Norte wind farm, situated between Braga and Vila Real in Portugal’s Cabeceiras de Basto and Montalegre municipalities.<\/p>\n
The T\u00e2mega Norte wind farm, part of the T\u00e2mega Complex, is the first grid-connected wind-hydro hybrid project on the Iberian Peninsula.<\/p>\n
The complex includes two wind farms, north and south, integrated with a substantial pumped-storage hydroelectric system. This setup enables the technologies to work together, storing energy for release as needed by the grid.<\/p>\n
The farms aim to reduce CO\u2082 emissions by more than 230,000t annually, comparable to the carbon absorption of millions of trees or the yearly emissions of around 100,000 vehicles.<\/p>\n
T\u00e2mega Norte utilises 27 Vestas wind turbines, each generating 7.2MW with a rotor height of 172m.<\/p>\n
The project timeline was challenged by spring and summer weather and environmental conditions including impacts on local wildlife, which disrupted the construction schedule.<\/p>\n
At peak construction, around 150 people were employed across transport, installation, crane operations, health and safety, and supervision roles, including personnel from Vestas.<\/p>\n
The T\u00e2mega Norte wind farm is expected to produce approximately 414GW-hours (GWh) annually, with T\u00e2mega Sul adding 185GWh once completed.<\/p>\n
The electricity distribution will use the existing infrastructure, connecting via the Red El\u00e9ctrica Nacional hub at Ribeira de Pena from the Daiv\u00f5es and Gouv\u00e3es substations.<\/p>\n
The two wind farms represent a total investment of \u20ac346m ($404.6m), with \u20ac237m allocated to T\u00e2mega Norte and \u20ac109m to T\u00e2mega Sul.<\/p>\n
The project involves multiple international and national suppliers including Haizea Wind and Vestas, along with Portuguese civil engineering companies.<\/p>\n
Development has followed environmental licence conditions, with Iberdrola implementing measures to minimise environmental impact.<\/p>\n
The project is funded by the European Investment Bank, with Norges Bank partnering with a 49% stake upon completion.<\/p>\n
Technologies employed include BladeLifter for transporting large turbine blades through terrains without extensive road alterations. This technique minimised the environmental footprint and preserved local landscapes.<\/p>\n
In February this year, Iberdrola completed the sale<\/a> of its French onshore renewable energy portfolio to Technique Solaire.<\/p>\n The agreement involves transferring 118MW of operational wind assets along with a development pipeline of 639MW in onshore wind and solar photovoltaic projects.<\/p>\n