In a statement, the IPP expresses its satisfaction with the Institute for Higher Education's approval of this course, emphasising that it "constitutes an evolution and update" of the Bioenergy CTeSP already included in the training offer of that polytechnic.

"This happens at a time when the global geopolitical situation, especially regarding access to fossil fuel energy sources, reinforces the urgency of the call for energy transition and the indispensability of building energy independence and autonomy in the country and the European Union," the statement reads.

The IPP also recalls the "goals that Portugal and the European Union have set for themselves" for 2030 and 2050 in the fight against climate change, which "imply the accelerated training" of qualified personnel.

This training will serve to "ensure the operation" of renewable energy generation facilities, in particular the conversion of residual biomass from agriculture, livestock farming, and agro-industry into biogas, biomethane, green hydrogen, and other renewable fuels and products.

For the IPP (Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre), the CTeSP (Professional Higher Technical Course) in Bioenergy and Renewable Gases "precisely fills" the need through level 5 training.

According to the polytechnic, level 5 training includes, in addition to basic and complementary subjects, curricular units with a strong practical focus, such as wind and hydropower, solar thermal and photovoltaic energy, pellets, gasification and pyrolysis of biomass.

The production and applications of hydrogen, biomass analysis, biofuels and wastewater, and biodiesel and green diesel are other aspects of this level, with these areas, according to the IPP, being supported by the laboratory and industrial facilities of BioBIP (Bioenergy Business Incubator of Portalegre).

"The training culminates in an academic internship, in a work environment, in national companies in the sector with which there are already commitments to host the trainees," it adds.

With this training, IPP also considers that it “presents the most complete and coherent” training offer in the area of ​​bioenergy.

Finally, the institution explains that the CTeSP (Professional Higher Technical Course) in Bioenergy and Renewable Gases will start at that school in the next academic year, up to the doctorate in Hydrogen and Renewable Gases, which began in the current academic year.

In between, according to IPP, there are the bachelor's degrees in Biofuel Production Engineering and Chemical and Biological Engineering, which will also start in 2026-2027, the master's degree in Environmental Valorisation and Energy Production, and the international postgraduate course in Renewable Energies and Environment.