ABSTRACT
The energy situation in Portugal is one of double dependency: imports cover more than 80 per cent of the country’s primary energy, while oil alone represents more than 70 per cent of the needs. Large hydro installations and biomass are the only two national sources of energy of some significance. The mainland of Portugal is subdivided into 18 counties. The city of Braganca is the capital of the Braganca county and is located in the North Region of Portugal. The municipality covers an area of 1174 km2, has a low population density (about 30 inhabitants/km2) and is the only urban centre of the county with more than 10,000 inhabitants. The physical geography of the region is very favourable for the implementation of hydroelectricity plants. In addition to this potential, there is a need to irrigate agricultural regions allowing a multiple use of water reservoirs.
