The largest Portuguese joint agricultural project recycles gases in the atmosphere to heat its greenhouses. The second-hand gas is also used in the maturation of vegetables in order to produce throughout the year and hence reduce import, according to the agency Lusa.
“If we can double production this way, it will save us 10,000 tons of imported goods,” says Lino Santos, administrator of Primores do Oeste, one of the largest domestic producers of fresh horticultural products. “Ultimately, this means a reduction of about one million euro in fuel and transport costs.”
The company has invested 25 million in the construction of 25 hectares of greenhouses. Galp Energy has injected an additional 8.5 million for the installation of natural gas extraction and a high voltage cable. The main markets include Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland and France.