Maria da Graça Carvalho, who is in charge of Ministry of the Environment and Energy, stated that the project is ready to move forward and the works can begin at the beginning of the week, but first she wants to have a conversation with Rui Cristina, who described the construction of the desalination plant as a "serious mistake" in a video released on social media.

Project in progress

In statements to journalists, on the sidelines of a visit to the sand replenishment works on Loulé beaches, Maria da Graça Carvalho stated that, since she arrived in the Government and found the desalination plant planned for Albufeira, the project has progressed and “currently has all the conditions to move forward”, after obtaining a favourable Environmental Impact Statement and after a “public consultation” was held with the participation of entities, academia and Non-Governmental Organizations.

It then obtained a Declaration of Conformity of the Execution Project (DECAP) and already “has the authorisation to start work”, which was issued on 17 April.

“It is an irreversible process in the sense that it has not yet started, only because I want to have the opportunity to speak once again with the mayor of Albufeira”, she stated, when questioned about the inevitability of the project moving forward, despite the criticisms made by the mayor.

Solution for the drought in the Algarve

Maria da Graça Carvalho recalled that the project was launched when the Algarve was facing an extreme drought, and all scientific studies point to a reduction in rainfall and evaporation levels in the region in the coming years, making droughts "increasingly frequent," with an "impact" on agriculture, tourism, green spaces, and human consumption in the region.

The Minister of the Environment assured that "this work is to be done," providing the Algarve with a solution that avoids the risk of restrictions or supply shortages when the drought intensifies.

Reaction of the mayor

The minister made these statements when confronted with the video released by the mayor of Albufeira, in which Rui Cristina warns that there is no "any formal act, protocol, consultation, or decision" that represents municipal support for the project.

“And I say without hesitation, we are completely against it. We are not talking about just any space, we are talking about sensitive ecosystems and Praia da Falésia, which is one of the greatest symbols of Albufeira, a world reference and a natural heritage of exceptional value,” he said, considering that the work will have a “profound impact” and is “a political, environmental and territorial mistake.”

The mayor guaranteed that the Albufeira City Council “cannot accept sacrificing this heritage for lack of courage to move forward with structural solutions” and promised, if the works go ahead, to take “all the necessary measures to defend Albufeira and its residents.”

When asked whether she already has a date to meet with the mayor of Albufeira, the minister said no but assured that she would get in touch with the mayor.