Iberdrola has started commissioning the Tâmega Norte wind farm in northern Portugal, marking a significant milestone in the development of the Tâmega Complex, the first grid-connected hybrid wind-hydroelectric project on the Iberian Peninsula.

A Landmark Hybrid Project

The Tâmega Complex represents a new category of energy infrastructure in the region, combining two wind farms with a large pumped-storage hydroelectric system.

Tâmega Norte is the first of the two wind farms to enter commissioning, located between the Portuguese municipalities of Cabeceiras de Basto and Montalegre, in the area spanning the districts of Braga and Vila Real.

The design philosophy behind hybridization centers on the complementary nature of wind and hydroelectric generation. According to Iberdrola, this combination allows energy to be stored and released when the electricity system requires it.

From an operational standpoint, the company says hybridization facilitates the sharing of grid connection infrastructure, reduces environmental impact, and improves the stability of the electricity system by accelerating electrification. The second wind farm, Tâmega Sul, is currently still under construction.

Technical Specifications and Equipment

Tâmega Norte will have an installed capacity of 195 MW, distributed across 27 Vestas wind turbines. Each turbine has an individual capacity of 7.2 MW and a rotor height of 172 meters. Iberdrola describes the installation as one of its onshore projects featuring the highest-capacity equipment the company has deployed.

The annual output of Tâmega Norte is expected to reach approximately 414 GWh. At Tâmega Sul, the projected annual output is 185 GWh. Electricity from both wind farms will be transmitted using the complex's existing infrastructure, connecting via the Red Eléctrica Nacional hub in Ribeira de Pena. The northern connection runs from the Daivões substation, while the southern connection runs from Gouvães.

Together, the Tâmega wind farms are projected to prevent the emission of more than 230,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, which Iberdrola equates to the annual emissions of approximately 100,000 vehicles.

Investment and Financing

The total investment for both wind farms amounts to USD 405.05 million on a TOTEX basis. Of that figure, USD 277.45 million is allocated to Tâmega Norte and USD 127.60 million to Tâmega Sul.

The complex is financed with the involvement of the European Investment Bank. Norges Bank is also a partner in the project and will hold a 49% stake once the plant becomes operational, with Iberdrola retaining the remaining share.

The project has drawn on a wide network of international and national suppliers. These include Haizea Wind, a Basque group specializing in the design, manufacture, and assembly of metal structures and cast components for the wind power industry, which participated through its subsidiary HaizeaTecnoaranda as a supplier to Vestas.

The Danish turbine manufacturer also operates a research and development center in Porto. Civil engineering firms involved in the project were all Portuguese-based.

Construction Challenges and Employment

The construction of Tâmega Norte presented considerable logistical and environmental challenges. Iberdrola noted that weather conditions and environmental constraints during the breeding season of certain species significantly affected the construction schedule during the spring and summer months.

At the peak of construction activity, around 150 people were involved in the project, including personnel from transport, installation, crane operations, health and safety, external supervision, and Vestas.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the construction process was the use of BladeLifter technology to transport the turbine blades across difficult terrain. The challenge was not solely the length of the blades, but also the conditions of the access roads, which featured sharp bends and steep gradients.

The BladeLifter system enabled blades to be raised by between 25 and 30 degrees, allowing passage along narrow roads without requiring tracks to be widened or significant civil engineering works to be carried out. Iberdrola stated that this approach reduces the impact on rural areas and avoids unnecessary interference with the landscape.

Operating the BladeLifter requires a crew of three professionals working in close coordination. One person drives the vehicle, a second controls the rotation and tilt of the blade-carrying unit, which is capable of rotating 360 degrees on its own axis, and a third supervises leveling and stabilization. The crew maintains constant communication via radio throughout each maneuver.

Environmental Commitments

Iberdrola stated that the project has been developed in strict compliance with all conditions set out in the environmental license. The company is implementing a range of preventive, corrective, and compensatory measures alongside monitoring programs designed to keep environmental and socio-economic impacts to a minimum.

The broader Tâmega Complex, which includes the existing pumped-storage hydroelectric system to which both wind farms are connected, is presented by Iberdrola as a model for how wind and hydro technologies can be integrated within shared infrastructure to deliver grid stability alongside renewable generation.

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