Portugal's government has outlined plans to establish a cluster of offshore wind farms along its Atlantic Ocean coast, with long-term ambitions to reach 10 gigawatts (GW) of capacity.
The government has recently approved four offshore areas where wind farms can be developed, a significant step toward its first offshore wind licence auction, which is set to take place later this year, according to Reuters reports.
A strategic plan, developed by the Ministry of Economy in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, designates more than 2,000 square kilometers (772 square miles) of ocean space for the offshore wind initiative. The plan also marks progress towards Portugal's goal of generating 2GW of offshore wind energy through power auctions by 2030.
Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho emphasized that while the initial focus is on reaching 2GW, the country has set its sights on a more expansive future. “We aim to gradually move toward licensing up to 10GW, Carvalho said, indicating that Portugal's offshore wind ambitions extend well beyond the initial phase.
The offshore wind farms are seen as an integral part of Portugal's efforts to diversify its energy mix and meet renewable energy targets, contributing to the country's broader sustainability and decarbonization objectives.
