Government assigns electric capacity of Pego to the Free Technological Zone of Abrantes

“Fhe also decided here today that there will be a part that will be attributed to the Free Technological Zone ", said today to Lusa Maria da Graça Carvalho, referring to the ability to connect to the electrical network associated with Pego.

The governor spoke to journalists at Tagusvalley – Science and Technology Park in Abrantes, Santarém district, at the end of an invitation visit by the municipality, which included a meeting on structuring projects for Abrantes and the Middle Tagus.

In addition to the allocation of electric capacity, the transfer to the local plan of the operational management of the ZLT, currently assigned by law to the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) was agreed.

“ We will make a protocol to pass it, here, locally, to this center, to Tagusvalley ", said Maria da Graça Carvalho.

The minister pointed out that Abrantes brings together four “world-wide” resources: access to electricity, water, technical knowledge and engineering and industrial territory, which allow the municipality to be “criterious” in the selection of investments that create wealth and employment.

He also warned of the need to take advantage of the industrial knowledge accumulated in the region quickly before technicians retire or seek employment elsewhere, classifying it as “concrete, tangible, engineering and doing”.

The mayor of Abrantes, Manuel Jorge Valamatos, confirmed that the Ministry will lead a protocol to DGEG delegate to Tagusvalley the management and operationalization of the ZLT, considering the decision “an excellent news”.

The ZLT was delimited in 2025 and regulated in March this year, covering areas linked to the Pego, Tagusvalley and Tramagal industrial zone, in the framework of the transition after the closure in 2021 of the coal power plant.

The meeting also examined the recovery of water lines affected by the storms, and the minister indicated that, in addition to the approximately EUR 200,000 already made available, interventions estimated at EUR 1.8 million remain unresolved.

Maria da Graça Carvalho said that she will look with the Portuguese Environment Agency ways to “quickly help” to restore the water lines, having Valamatos said that a quick contact with the municipality was agreed to seek funding.

On the mini-hydric use associated with Abrantes' inflatable dam, the minister said she wanted to solve an old process to allow the launch of a contest to explore that energy potential.

As for the two data centres planned for Abrantes, he said that they already have permission to connect to the network, but they asked for increased capacity, with the decision expected “to be soon”, possibly later this year.

The minister stated that energy, water and environmental impact will be assessed and that the “special situation of Abrantes” will be taken into account as a result of the energy transition.

Maria da Graça Carvalho recognized that Abrantes suffered “a major blow” with the closure of the coal plant and argued that the territory should be compensated by the impact of decarbonization.

The transition represents “a good for the country and humanity” and brought a cleaner atmosphere, he said, defending that the fight against climate change cannot mean “a price” borne only by Abrantes.

“ They can count on us to help you in this matter”, he assured.

Valamatos made a “very positive” assessment of the meeting, stating that the themes presented by the municipality were welcomed by the minister and that paths were defined to seek solutions and capture investment for the municipality.