ZERO demands immediate halt to Girabolhos dam tender

Environmental group ZERO has called for the immediate suspension of the public tender for the Girabolhos multi-purpose water scheme, arguing it is a 65-year blank cheque awarded without proof of economic viability or that it is the best solution for water management in the Mondego basin. ZERO criticises the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) for simultaneously acting as contracting authority, payment beneficiary, environmental impact authority, licensing body and appeals body. The group also warns the tender sets no minimum payment or flood-control requirements, shifts nearly all risk to the future concessionaire, and could leave the state in a weak negotiating position if only one bidder appears.