The mayor of Ribeira de Pena, João Noronha, expressed to the Portuguese news agency his concern over the lack of completion of the management plan for the Daivões reservoir, in the district of Vila Real. The mayor said he had spoken with entities involved in the process who are unaware of its progress.
The reservoir began commercial operation in the summer of 2022, and in April 2025, the Portuguese Environment Agency and Iberdrola signed a protocol to finance the special plan for the reservoirs of the Tâmega hydroelectric system, which includes the Daivões, Gouvães, and Alto Tâmega dams. The company committed to providing financing of up to 500,000 euros, and the president of APA predicted at the time that the plan would be completed within one year. APA did not respond to the news agency's requests for comment.
João Noronha said there are investors who want to move forward with tourism projects in the region, but they are at an impasse until the plan is in effect. The mayor highlighted that the council needed the plan to be able to grant licenses for tourist areas, construction and reconstruction of houses, and that the expectation was that it would be completed in April. The municipal council intends to build a river quay at the reservoir to allow greater enjoyment of the water surface.
The mayor also recalled that 49 families lost their homes and agricultural land for the construction of the dam, in a long and painful process, and that the municipality contributes to the country's wealth with electricity production, but receives nothing in return. Noronha said the council also does not know when it will receive the payment of the dam IMI, as the tax assessments are subsequently contested by the companies. The mayor met with the Secretary of State for Energy, who said he would take note of the concerns and take steps to find out the current status.
