The plant
The Pego thermal power plant, which came into operation in 1993, was closed down in November 2021 when its operating licence expired. The Portuguese Government announced a public tender seeking initiatives that would lead not only to decarbonisation, but would also promote employment and the economy in the area, as well as contributing to electrification as the basis for a sustainable economy.
Endesa's tender was successful and the company was awarded the connection rights for 224 MVA to install 365 MWp of solar energy, 264 MW of wind energy, with 168.6 MW of integrated storage and a 500 kW electrolyser for the production of green hydrogen. Pego will not only be a hybrid renewable project, but will also have the largest storage battery in Europe.
With this, and with an investment of €600 million, Endesa will contribute to Portugal being placed at the forefront in Europe with regard to the development and use of these energies.
Futur-e Plan
In addition to the development of renewable sources, we are also developing a social-economic plan for the area, a key factor with regard to the success of our proposal. Whilst the hybridisation and electrical energy storage model will enable almost 6,000 hours of production, the social-economic growth plan will create about 75 direct jobs.
We have also designed a plan to organise over 12,000 hours of training that will enable over 2,000 people to be professionally recycled. This will include courses that will range from the construction and assembly of solar plants, to the operation and maintenance of plants that will increase the possibility of future work for unemployed people in the area and generate new opportunities for growth and wealth in the Abrantes Region. Another of our priority commitments is for the majority of employment created to be made available to former workers of the Pego coal-fired power plant.
Creating Shared Value
Our commitment to the development of communities is part of our Policy for Creating Shared Value (CSV) and aims to maximise the value of these projects for the local environment. In this case, Pego will become an area promoting biodiversity, in which technological projects will be combined with those for the primary and secondary sector.