There is still no official project, but the association Pro Barrocal Algarvio (Probaal), hunters and the inhabitants of Cerro do Leiria, in the parish of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, in Tavira, will not wait for it to appear to contest the mega power station of 83 megawatt solar panels that, they ensure, Iberdrola intends to install in this inland area.
What people contesting this project fear is, from the outset, the destruction of the existing biodiversity in this territory and of the landscape itself, but also the predictable debris and soil sealing, which could affect the Peral-Moncarapacho aquifer, the underground water table that exists there.
Not to mention the quality of life of those who chose an area almost untouched by man to settle down.
The intention of the Spanish energy company is real and was recently transmitted to both the Town Hall of Tavira and the Parish Council of Santa Catarina. Sul Informação.
But the residents and owners of Cerro do Leiria have been aware of the company's plans for months, as there are people who claim to represent Iberdrola making promissory contracts for the purchase and sale or lease of land in the area.
“I spoke directly to a person who was acquiring land. He told me that the project was by Iberdrola and that it would have 200 hectares», he revealed to the Sul Informação a representative of Probaal, who preferred to remain anonymous.
“We know that there are owners who have been approached to lease their land for 30 years. We also know that there are local contractors who did some excavation and land clearing last year,” he added.
In other words, “this is already happening. There is just no official project yet».
«As far as we know, the plan is to clear this area of barrocal, to build a photovoltaic plant. We are talking about thousands of trees, thousands of plants, a brutal area of unique biodiversity, which will be razed to the ground», said the representative of Probaal.
“We are also very concerned about the Peral-Moncarapacho aquifer, which is below us and is still very healthy, with plenty of water and good quality. This area is a natural “bowl”, where rainwater is concentrated and infiltrates through the rocks», he said.
When digging and grading the land, to install the panels, «this will prevent the water from infiltrating properly», which could lead to «flooding on the coast, further south».
In a short walk through the area, it was possible to find rare orchids, capable of delighting plant enthusiasts, as many members of Probaal are, but also areas of water infiltration, among the rocks that populate this territory.
It is also possible to find specimens of Allium nigrum, aka black garlic or magic garlic, an endangered botanical species.
It is certain that the association for the defense of the environment is not alone in this fight.
“What is known there is that they are offering rents of 1600 euros per hectare per year. This represents a return that people cannot take with this agricultural system they have here”, said Diamantino Trindade, a farmer and owner of the area, but also a hunter and member of the Montes Doutores da Jordana Hunting and Fishing Club .
«I have my property near here. For now, it is not surrounded by land related to the project. But if the people around come to an agreement with the company to implement the panels, it might be in the middle. Fortunately, the 1600 euros don't need them. But for many people it makes a difference," said the agronomist to Sul Informação.
It is these advances that concern the people contesting the project, dozens of whom gathered at Cerro do Leiria a few weeks ago to receive Sandra Pereira, a PCP MEP.
«We came today, above all, to know. The association itself is also very much awaiting the response of the local authorities. But we can also ask the European Commission if any project has already been submitted, asking for funding, for this specific area», said the communist MEP.
When taking action, Sandra Pereira guaranteed that she can “draw attention to the area's biodiversity, to the Natura Network itself. If there is funding, it cannot be for projects in areas that are even protected by the European Union itself».
“We are talking about an area with a lot of biodiversity and which is enjoyed by the local population. Such a project, it seems to us, will not develop this region either, in terms of job creation. It is also necessary to consider these issues», he added.
However, the communist MEP has already asked the European Commission if it is aware of this project and if, “if so, European funds were required for its implementation”.
Who will have a say in this entire process is the Chamber of Tavira. Hence, Iberdrola has already approached the local authority, to give an account of its intention to move forward with a photovoltaic park in the municipality.
“They asked to speak with us and presented us with a proposal that was still very incipient. All this results from a license that was won by the company to install a photovoltaic park with connection to the Estoi substation», he told the Sul Informação Ana Paula Martins, president of the autarchy.
«At this stage, what we have are intentions. They still don't have the right location, they are still talking to landowners. From what was transmitted to me, only in 2023 will the project be able to be, eventually, approved», he added.
Until then, "there will have to be an Environmental Impact Study, opinions from various entities, and only after that the project will enter for licensing".
«For now, I have no position on the matter, because I do not know exactly where the location will be, I do not have a concrete project on which I can base myself, nor an Environmental Impact Study», he told our newspaper Ana Paula Martins.
Even so, the mayor of Tavira assures that the municipality “will not be colluding with situations that cause environmental destruction. We are completely on top of how this is going to develop and we will keep an eye on the next steps».
The mayor of Tavira even confessed that she thinks “the choice of Cerro de Leiria is not a happy one”. "I told them that," he assured.
“I have already warned Iberdrola that it has to start by presenting the project to the population, because they will be the ones to be directly impacted. I told him to schedule a meeting with the association, because I think they should be the first to know what the company's intentions are and have the opportunity to clarify their doubts», he assured.
"Our interest is that the process be as transparent and open as possible, so that we know exactly what their intentions are, what their location is, what they are going to do, the type of panels, the impact they can have", concluded Ana Paula Martins.
But why Cerro do Leiria, if it is a place rich in biodiversity and where there are even protected and highly threatened species?
Probaal and the local inhabitants believe that everything is related to an old quarry, now abandoned, which the association itself managed to close, about ten years ago, after taking the case to justice.
This land, with about hectares, belongs (or belonged?) to Tecnovia. The contestants of the project believe that there is an agreement between the two companies to transfer this land to Iberdrola, a deal that will be at the origin of the choice of Cerro do Leiria to implement the photovoltaic plant.
Ana Paula Martins admits that there may have been an agreement between the two companies for the transfer of the land, although this was not addressed at the meeting.
"I don't know if the lords of Iberdrola realized that this is a very sensitive area from an environmental point of view," he said.
On the other hand, "there is that population there, mostly foreigners, who have already mobilized against the quarry and who will have no problem in mobilizing again and in taking things to court."
For now, the population and Probaal have launched an online petition that already has thousands of signatures, alerting and contesting the project.
There is also a paper version, available at the hunting and fishing club headquarters, which has hundreds of signatures.
“We believe that the key is to work together with everyone. It's a matter of raising public awareness of the population. There are many people who do not know about this project», said the representative of Probaal.
"It is very important that we create this awareness before things become official, because this type of project moves very quickly, once it becomes public and we will not have much time to fight it," he added.
The original petition is available. through this link. However, a new online petition has been launched, in Portuguese, which is available here.
Photos: Hugo Rodrigues | Sul Informação
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