The Government ordered the preparation of an “in-depth report” on the safety of dams “in order to reinforce supervision in an essential sector for the country”, reveals the Ministry of Environment and Energy in a statement.
“Increasing legal complexity, aging infrastructure, the entry of new operators and the effects of climate change“, are the reasons that justify this measure, explains the office of minister Maria da Graça Carvalho.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Portugal has 263 large dams covered by the Dam Safety Regulation, in addition to “a much higher number” of small dams covered by the Small Dam Regulation.
“The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), as the National Dam Safety Authority, is responsible for preparing the reportin conjunction with sector entities, including the National Dam Safety Commission”, reads the statement.
Maria da Graça Carvalho wants an “exhaustive technical assessment” that results in a “report that is updated and deepened the characterization of national dams from a safety point of view, if inventories e prioritize intervention and financing needsand evaluate the available means and present proposals for operational improvement”.
APA has 12 months to carry out the work and the costs will be borne by the Environmental Fund, managed by the Climate Agency.