Nov 26 - BBC Monitoring European

The largest wind farm in Europe was officially opened today in Alto Minho [northern Portugal]. It is made up of five sub- stations located in the Paredes de Coura, Moncao, Melgaco and Valenca districts. The wind farm is also connected to the national grid and a 240 MW capacity. The wind energy produced in the region is enough to power 300,000 homes.

Finance Minister Manuel Pinho believes that Portugal's commitment to alternative energy could help the country overcome the crisis. He stressed the investment in wind energy being made in Alto Minho, the tidal energy project being developed in Leixoes [port, near Porto] and the solar energy project in Alentejo [central Portugal]. Manuel Pinho inaugurated the wind farm today - Prime Minister Jose Socrates was meant to have been here, but the economy minister replaced him. Manuel Pinho said that Portugal is the 5th country in the world in terms of developing an alternative energy sector and which has best taken advantage of alternative energy sources.

The wind farm cost 360m euros and comprises 120 wind turbines.

Originally published by RTP Internacional TV, Lisbon, in Portuguese 1300 26 Nov 08.

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