Portugal relies heavily on imported fossil fuels for its energy needs due to limited domestic fossil fuel resources. While some coal and uranium are produced locally, over 80% of Portugal's energy comes from imported oil, natural gas, and coal. Renewable sources like wind, solar, hydroelectric, and biomass are increasingly important to Portugal's energy mix as the country aims to reduce dependence on imports and pollution. Wind power in particular has expanded significantly, with over 3500 MW of installed capacity nationwide. Portugal has good natural conditions for harvesting energy from the sun, waves, and water resources.
22. The potencial use ofwaterpowerenergyisdistributedalloverthenationalterritoryespeciallyinthenorthandcenterofthecountry, wheremostdamswerebuilt.
23. There are 145 damswith more than 15 metershigh. Nevertheless, only 46% ofourcountry’swaterenergy potencial isbeingused.
24. Solar Energy Portugal has a highnumberofhoursofsunperyear , speciallyinthe interior andsouthofthecountry. About 300 mil m²sunpannels are estimated to havebeeninstalled. Oneofthethebiggest solar powerplantsin Europa, isin Amareleja, Alentejo inthesouthofPortugal.
27. WaveEnergy Theportuguesecoastalareas (speciallythe western mainlandcoastandtheAzores) havegreat natural conditions for the use ofwaveenergy. Thewateris a veryabundantresourceinourcountryandthere are deepwatersnearthecoast. Portugal is a pioneerinprojectssuch as theconstructionof a prototypeintheAzoresandin Póvoa do Varzim (northof Portugal).
31. Bibliography Lobo, José Silva. 2001 Coordenadas. Actividades Económicas. Volume 2. Campos, C. & Z Delgado.2007. Sistema Terra. Sustentabilidade na Terra. Texto Editores.