Under the TJTPs, the E.U. has announced to provide Portugal more than € 223.8 million under the Just Transition Fund (JTF)
The European Union (E.U.) has announced to provide more than € 223.8 million to Portugal under the Just Transition Fund (JTF) following adoption of 3 multi-fund programmes that include the Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTPs).
This will help deliver a just climate transition in the Portuguese Just Transition regions of Alentejo Litoral and Médio Tejo and the city of Matosinhos. This decision closes the adoption of all the 11 programmes that will operationalize € 22.6 billion Cohesion Policy’s investments in Portugal in 2021-2027 to support a territorially balanced, fair, green and digital economy.
Portugal has recently closed 3 of the largest CO2 emitting plants in the country which included 2 coal-fired power plants in Sines (Alentejo Litoral) and Médio Tejo and one oil refinery in Matosinhos.
Speaking on the occasion, Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal said, “Portugal has already taken ambitious steps to clean its energy production and move away from polluting fossil fuels. The Just Transition Plan will help the country deliver the transition to climate neutrality in a fair way. The European Commission is on Portugal’s side to make sure that every citizen can benefit from a green, sustainable and healthy future.”
In Alentejo Litoral, the JTF will diversify the local economy by supporting research and innovation in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that are into renewable energy, agri-food and tourism. The E.U. will also invest in local sustainable mobility. The Fund is expected to create around 200 new jobs and will support the professional reorientation of workers in the region affected by the closure of the power plant through training and up- and reskilling activities. The JTF will also provide assistance for self-employment and innovative entrepreneurship.
In Médio Tejo, the JTF will boost economic diversification by supporting SMEs with innovative entrepreneurship, research and new technologies in emerging green sectors. It will also support the training of 420 workers in the region affected by the ongoing energy transition to acquire new qualifications and find new jobs.
In Matosinhos, the JTF will support the establishment of a new innovation hub with a particular focus on sustainable mobility, clean energy, advance manufacturing and marine economy. It will also help in having sustainable public transport in this region. It will help local SMEs that have been affected by the closure of the refinery to adapt their business model. The JTF is expected to create 150 new jobs in the supported SMEs and will reskill and train 170 long-term unemployed people.
The JTF ensures that the transition towards a climate-neutral economy happens in a fair way and in the affected regions. These territories were identified during negotiations of the 2021-2027 Partnership Agreements and the associated programmes between the Portuguese authorities and the European Commission.
The Partnership Agreement with Portugal was approved in July 2022. Portugal will receive a total of €22.6 billion in EU funding in the period 2021-2027 for a more competitive, greener and fairer Portugal via 11 programmes that are now adopted.
