By : Franyi Sarmiento, Ph.D., Inspenet, July 22, 2022
Portugal inaugurated the Tâmega gigabattery, an ambitious hydroelectric project that stands out for its power and storage capacity.
[post_relacionado]The gigafactory, located in the north of Portugal, near the border with Galicia, will be able to produce 1,158 MW and store 40 million Kw/h, enough to supply the homes of around 11 million people for a whole day. “It is one of the largest energy storage systems in Europe,” the Spanish electricity multinational highlights.
The Tâmega electro-production system is made up of three plants and three dams —Alto Tâmega, Daivôes and Gouvâes— and it is estimated that it will allow an increase of around 6% in the total electrical power installed in the country. One of its great features is the reversible pumping system, which allows energy to be stored to be used later, when necessary. “A cycle of energy efficiency and true circular economy”, highlights Iberdrola.
In the dossier of the hydroelectric project prepared by the company itself, it is detailed that it will be able to produce 1,766 GW/h per year, which would allow it to cover the needs of around 440,000 people spread over the surrounding municipalities and the cities of Braga and Guimarâes.
With its implementation, the country will be able to advance in its objectives in environmental matters. The multinational calculates that thanks to Tâmega Portugal it will save more than 160,000 tons of oil imports each year and will avoid the emission of 1.2 million tons of CO2, data that, he assures, does not include what could be achieved with renewables that are integrated into the system.
Photo : Iberdrola