Problem

Sines was one of the largest coal power plants in Portugal, operating with a 1,256 MW capacity. In 2021, after 35 years of operation, Sines thermal power plant ceased its operations. Being the largest Portuguese power station, it played a strategic role in the country's energy supply and the security of the national electricity system – and a source of livelihood for many.

Portuguese utility company EDP aims to repurpose the decommissioned plant into a green hydrogen hub including a collaborative lab to promote hydrogen know-how, a 100MW green hydrogen production facility and a green ammonia pilot project.

Responses

To mitigate the impact of those changes for its workers and the workforce of its suppliers, EDP designed a just transition programme called Futuro Ativo Sines (Active Future Sines) or FAS.

Under the FAS programme, EDP initiated two work streams, consisting of a prospective study of the local economy and the creation of a local office for social action known as GLES (Gabinete Local de Encaminhamento Social/Local Social Referral Office), through which it intends to contribute to the conversion of the economy and employment in the region. 100% of EDP workers reportedly benefitted from individualised plan for reskilling/upskilling and assistance to transition to clean energy jobs, retirement, or internal mobility. A social investment initiative was launched, with a dedicated entrepreneurship programme to incubate new projects with capacity building and a dedicated programme to strengthen local NGOs social actions and foster a more robust local community.

Find out more: World Economic Forum