Cabril Dam concession tender to open, with 45-year term and water reserve rules

Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho announced in Lisbon that the public tender to operate the Cabril Dam on the Zêzere river will be published on Friday, saying dozens of parties have already expressed interest. The concession will run for 45 years. The winner must keep an average annual reserve of 200 cubic hectometres of water and hold the reservoir at 292 metres in winter, for flood control, and 296 metres in summer, as a strategic reserve. A public guarantee of 11 cubic hectometres is also required for public supply, protection against salinisation of the Tagus and severe droughts. Portugal's tallest dam holds 720 cubic hectometres.