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Iberdrola Planning 1.2-GW Pumped Storage Hydro Plant in Portugal

February 3, 2009 | 4 Comments

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Madrid, Spain [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] The nearly 1200-megawatt (MW) Alto Támega hydro complex in Portugal is set to be developed by Spanish energy group Iberdrola. The new plants, two with a combined 900 MW of pumped storage capacity and two pure turbine facilities with a combined 234 MW capacity, will be able to produce some 2 terrawatt-hours (TWh) a year.

Once fully developed, the project will be capable of generating 3% of Portugal's current electricity consumption and enough to meet the annual needs of around one million people.

One of the largest European hydro projects in 25 years, approximately €1.7 billion [US $2.19 billion] will be invested from 2012-2018 to build four new dams for the project. The dams will be located at Gouvães, Padroselos, Alto Támega, and Daivões.

Once fully developed, the project will be capable of generating 3% of Portugal’s current electricity consumption and enough to meet the annual needs of around one million people. Iberdrola says the dams can be operated for 65 years and the new installations are located close to Galicia, where electricity interconnections between Spain and Portugal are due to be upgraded in the near future.

Hydropower

4 Reader Comments

Comment
1 of 4

adrian-akau-36758

February 3, 2009

I am sorry for being so stupid but I am assuming that the energy for the pumped storage facility is to come from wind energy since Iberdrola is a leader in this area. I went to the Iberdrola site but could not find any reference to the information found in the article above so could not confirm this fact.

I think this would be an excellent way to maintain energy levels for an intermittant source such as wind.

adrianakau2aol.com

Comment
2 of 4

shanmugham-kangala-112500

February 4, 2009

Pumped storage hydroelectric system is the most cost effective Energy Storage system. As suggested by Mr.Adrian Akau, it will be a ideal match for system integration with intermittant sources like Wind Power.

South India has a total capacity of 550 MW Pumped storage plant and there is more than 3500 MW of installed Wind Power. If there is higher pumped storage hydrelectric system capacity, Wind Power would have registered a higher growth.

Comment
3 of 4

martin-herlov-73590

February 4, 2009

If you follow this link http://www.iberdrola.es/webibd/gc/prod/es/comunicacion/notasprensa/090123_NP_alto_tamega02.pdf you will find the article confirming the article in spanish

Comment
4 of 4

george-robson-171235

March 16, 2009

Is it fair to say that all Pumped Storage projects use reversible vane turbine/pumps? Are there any cases where seperate, conventional pumps would be used to replenish the storage during off-peak times?

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