en.Wedoany.com Reported - Portugal's Galp Energia stated on July 22 that it is studying the development of a wind power project in the municipalities of Ourique and Odemira in the Beja District, planning to install approximately 22 wind turbines with a total capacity of about 158 MW.
In a written response to Lusa news agency, Galp confirmed that the project, named "Projeto Eólico Mira" (Mira Wind Project), is currently in its early development stage. The company stated that the project involves hybrid wind development at a solar park in Ourique.
According to Galp, the company submitted a Scope Definition Proposal (PDA) to the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) in June 2026, which is the first step in the environmental impact assessment process. This proposal aims to gather opinions from competent entities on "the topics to be studied and the methods to be adopted in the future Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)." Only after this phase is completed will a formal EIA report be prepared, assessing the project's potential impacts, alternatives, and measures to eliminate environmental risks.
The company emphasized that, based on the above process, the "final configuration" of the project, the "number of wind turbines," or the "exact locations" of certain structures may still be adjusted according to future technical and environmental study results. In the preliminary configuration, the project includes up to 22 wind turbines, corresponding to an installed capacity of approximately 158 MW.
Considering the progress of different licensing and development phases, construction of the wind farm is not expected to begin before 2029. The project plans to hybridize with a photovoltaic power station being developed in the Ourique area, combining solar and wind power generation in the same area to improve the utilization efficiency of existing power infrastructure. Galp did not disclose the estimated investment amount at this stage, citing that its final configuration has not yet been determined.
Galp clarified that the Mira project is completely different from the canceled Cachenas project. The latter covered four parishes in Odemira (Beja District), Santiago do Cacém, and Sines (Setúbal District). The company stated that the Mira project did not arise from the cancellation of the Cachenas wind farm, and the two differ in objectives, framework, and development model. The Cachenas project was planned to directly supply renewable energy to the electrolyzers at the Sines refinery, while the Mira project is designed as a hybrid project that injects electricity into the national grid. The company stated that the Mira project has been studied for several years, and its development is independent of the progress of the Cachenas wind farm. Galp also revealed that the company has been in contact with local communities, presenting the project and collecting feedback through parish councils and the municipalities of Odemira and Ourique.
