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Portuguese district attorneys challenge big Iberdrola solar job

Portugal's district attorneys have asked a court to obstruct an ecological licence provided to Spain's Iberdrola and Prosolia Energy to build a. 1.2 gigawatt solar farm in southern Portugal, one of the biggest. such jobs in Europe.

The general public district attorney's workplace stated the licence granted by. the ecological company APA did not conform with the protection. of natural deposits.

Publico newspaper said the task would include the felling. of about 1.5 million trees, primarily eucalyptus.

The challenge against APA, which gave the ecological. license to the 800 million euro ($ 868 million) project a year. ago, was submitted on Jan. 31 but has just recently been made. public.

The court would not comment on the case.

The job remains in Santiago do Cacem, in the southern region. of Alentejo. The promoters anticipated the farm to be built on an. location of 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) and to come into operation. in 2025 with the capability to offer around 430,000 homes with. energy.

The APA did not react to a request for comment.

A Prosolia spokesperson said that the task's promoters. have actually abided by all the requirements requested by the APA. and are convinced that everything is proper.

Iberdrola stated it strictly followed all the relevant. procedures and norms which no judicial choice has yet been. made, indicating the task maintains its development as. scheduled.

Ecological association ProtegeAlentejo stated the project. had been approved in spite of objections from preservation institute. ICNF and the National Energy and Geology Laboratory.

As part of an international shift from carbon-emitting nonrenewable fuel sources,. countries are betting on new innovations to enhance power. generation from renewable energy, such as wind and solar.

Portugal' solar capacity is anticipated to reach 21 GW in 2030,. nearly 6 times above last year's level.

(source: Reuters)