Endesa told the press that the Girabolhos dam (barragem de Girabolhos) project was cancelled by the Portuguese Government in 2016 after the company had already invested around €90 million, and the firm said it may consider reapplying to build it. Reports differ slightly on whether the suspension agreement was reached in 2016 or 2017, but Endesa's chief executive made clear the company considers the cancellation a government decision. Landowners, local communities and energy stakeholders in the affected region should follow any follow‑up filings or licence applications from Endesa.
Endesa says government cancelled Girabolhos dam in 2016
Tuesday, 24 February 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
Endesa is a large Spanish electricity company that operates across the Iberian Peninsula and in Portugal. Its CEO said on Feb 24, 2026 that Endesa and the Portuguese Government reached an agreement in 2016 to suspend the Girabolhos dam project.
The Girabolhos dam (Barragem de Girabolhos) was a proposed hydroelectric dam project in central Portugal near the village of Girabolhos that attracted local and political controversy. According to Endesa's CEO, the company and the Portuguese Government agreed in 2016 to suspend the project, and recent coverage has focused on who was responsible for that decision.
Sources (5)
- Endesa says Girabolhos dam was cancelled in 2016 by the GovernmentRTP Notícias · 3:00pm, 24 Feb 2026
- Girabolhos Dam: Endesa blames António Costa's Government for 2016 cancellationExpresso · 1:29pm, 24 Feb 2026
- Endesa. Girabolhos project cancelled in 2016 by the GovernmentObservador · 3:17pm, 24 Feb 2026
- Endesa says Girabolhos dam was cancelled by the Government in 2016ECO · 2:23pm, 24 Feb 2026
- Endesa says that the Girabolhos dam "was cancelled" by the Government in 2016CNN Portugal · 1:40pm, 24 Feb 2026