The project, part of E-Redes’ investment plan, a company under the EDP group, involved constructing a substation and a set of 20 kilometers of high and medium voltage lines in Sines, Setúbal district, according to E-REDES chairman José Ferrari Careto.
The aim of this investment, besides significantly reinforcing the company’s presence in the area, was to improve the quality of service and increase reception capacity for distributed production and energy consumption, Careto explained.
“We are aware this is a highly active region, and we are preparing to accommodate more clients in this area,” stated José Ferrari Careto during the inauguration of the new infrastructure.
E-Redes noted in a statement that, apart from the new substation, which has an initial installed capacity of 31.5 MVA (megavolt-ampere), a high voltage network was built to supply the substation, alongside a new medium voltage network to interconnect with the existing one.
This development will enhance the reception capacity for production in the National Distribution Network and improve service quality in the medium voltage network south of Sines city, they indicated.
“We already have several clients directly connected to this substation in high and medium voltage, and then we have a low voltage network fed from this substation that will distribute electricity to households, commerce, and services,” emphasized Careto.
The new infrastructure, completed within 36 months, will supply approximately 1,800 residential clients and eight business clients, the company revealed.
Asked about the challenge that ongoing investments at the Sines Industrial and Port Complex pose for the company, José Ferrari Careto described it as “transversal across the high, medium, and low voltage networks.”
“Our network needs modernization and digitalization; hence, we are significantly increasing our investment,” Careto highlighted, referring to the Distribution Network Development and Investment Plan and the Low Voltage Investment Plan.
Together, between 2026 and 2030, these two plans have an associated investment of 3 billion euros, with goals to renew, digitize, and strengthen E-Redes’ operated network.
“We’re preparing for increased consumption and distributed production that connects to our network, and this investment in Sines is part of that preparation. This year, we will invest 340 million euros nationwide,” he mentioned.
Álvaro Beijinha, the Mayor of Sines, stated to Lusa that this infrastructure is crucial “to cater to ongoing investments” in the region, but he reminded that “many other investments” are still needed.
“All these investments require a lot of energy, water, and also people. Those expected to move to Sines to work here will naturally need places to live,” calling for significant investment in housing. Beijinha advocated for shared investment between the municipality, which has expressed readiness to provide land for construction, the Government, and companies needing housing for their employees.
