The association stressed that "this decision is not without risks and changes in socio-economic results, which must be safeguarded", namely related to the security of national electricity supply and the possible increase in dependence on imports of electricity from Spain.

In this context, the association considered that "it is essential to complete the Alto Tâmega hydroelectric plant in good time, which, with its pumping capacity of 880MW [megawatts], will allow for a reserve capacity of this amount, contributing positively to the balance of prices on the market, and so that, in extreme situations of consumption or scarcity of renewable energy, dependence on imports from Spain is reduced at excessive or possibly speculative prices".

APREN added that it is also essential to increase installed power and electricity production from solar and wind technologies.

The association said "another situation that must be taken into account is related to the loss of local jobs and the mitigation of the consequent negative social impacts that may be generated, especially in the specific regions where the power plants are located", but it added that "the development of new forms of production based on renewable energy and a dynamic growth of the economy can generate employment for these people".

"However, attention should also be paid to other local economic activities that will also be affected. It will be up to the companies owning these electricity generating centres, in partnership with the official entities, to establish the best plan in terms of reuse or relocate the workers involved, in order to minimise possible negative economic and social impacts in the affected regions", it warned.

Portugal’s prime minister announced on 26 October that his new government is prepared to close the Pego thermoelectric plant in Abrantes at the end of 2021 and cease production at the Sines plant in September 2023.

António Costa highlighted this measure in his speech after the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, inaugurated the 22nd Constitutional Government in a ceremony at the National Palace of Ajuda, in Lisbon.

"I am in a position to announce that we will even bring forward the closure of the Pego thermal power plant to the end of 2021, and that the production of the Sines power plant will cease completely in September 2023, guaranteeing conditions of perfect security of supply, after the completion of the Alto Tâmega dams and a new high voltage line that will supply the Algarve, already planned for mid-2022, and that will allow the phased closure of Sines to begin", he stated.

In the Socialist party electoral programme, the timetable for the closure of these plants was more distant: "Prepare for the end of the production of electricity from coal, starting this process during the legislature, with a view to closing or converting the Pego thermoelectric power plants by 2023 and Sines between 2025 and 2030".