The wind farm foresees the installation of 23 wind turbines in Santiago do Cacém in the district of Setúbal, which supplies electricity to the Sines Data Center currently being developed by Start Campus, Executive Digest reports.

The energy produced by the Southwest Wind Farm will be directed to the Sines Data Center and used for industrial self-consumption, estimated at around 386.4 GWh (gigawatt-hours).

Mandatory Assessment

The Proposed Scope Definition (PDA) of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for this wind farm is open for public consultation on the Participa portal of the Portuguese Environment Agency. According to Participa, the public consultation began on July 29 and has already received 100 responses.

The scoping phase and public consultation are a mandatory assessment of the environmental impact for projects of this size. According to PDA, the Southwest Wind Farm could avoid the emissions of approximately 41,345 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.

Environmental impact

The study area for the park covers 1,098.4 hectares, and according to officials, the park’s study area does not directly interfere with zones classified as sensitive, despite being located near several protected areas and heritage sites.

The park will consist of three areas located in the Union of Parishes of Santiago do Cacém, Santa Cruz and São Bartolomeu da Serra and in the parish of Abela, in the municipality of Santiago do Cacém.

The Proposed Scope Definition of the Environmental Impact Assessment identifies the effects on wildlife as the most significant issue, particularly concerns of wildlife colliding with the wind turbines.