Portuguese PM rejects compensation for closure of coal plants

 Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa on Tuesday rejected to give any type of compensation to energy companies after the closure of the two coal power plants in 2021, Portuguese Lusa News Agency reported.

The prime minister made the remarks in a biweekly debate at the parliament house, when he was asked by a parliament member about the future of workers of the coal-fired power plants.

The plants, located in Sines -- 200 km south of Lisbon, and in Pego -- 150 km north of Lisbon respectively, are managed by electricity companies EDP and Pegop respectively.

"There will be no compensation for the closure of the Pego and Sines plants. There is no place for any compensation," Costa said, quoted by Lusa.

He told the lawmakers that an environmental project, being developed by the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), is studying the needs of requalification.

The Portuguese government has promised to close the two coal power plants after their contracts finish, in a bid to meet its target of being carbon neutral in 2050.