Polluting Portugal Mounts Giant Wind Power Tender

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/35368/story.htm

LISBON - Portugal will carry out one of Europe's biggest tenders for wind power on Wednesday in a bid to cut its heavy fuel bill and clean up its record as a top greenhouse gas polluter.

About half a dozen consortiums featuring some of Europe's biggest power companies could bid in the two-phase 1,500-megawatt project. It will more than double wind power capacity in Portugal, which was among world leaders in installing new wind power last year.

With joblessness at nearly an 18-year high, the Socialist government's auction also aims to create 1,600 jobs by mandating 900 million euros in spending on wind turbine equipment plants.

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The project will provide enough power for about 750,000 homes and is equal to about a quarter of wind energy installed last year in the 25-nation Europe Union, according to EWEA figures.

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should take a lesson.