Portugal approves clear-cutting 3,456 cork oaks for green hydrogen hub

A historic shift unfolds in Sines as ancient cork forests fall for progress. Will 115 new jobs justify the environmental cost of Portugal's energy boom?

, and Administrator

2026 March 27 . 10:01 PM

1 min read

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Portugal approves clear-cutting 3,456 cork oaks for green hydrogen hub

The Portuguese government has given the green light for the removal of 3,456 cork oak trees in Sines. The clear-cutting will make way for a major green hydrogen project and a solar energy initiative. Work is set to begin within the next two weeks. AICEP Global Parques received approval to clear the land inside the Sines Industrial and Logistics Zone (ZILS). The move supports Madoqua Renewables' €2.8 billion green hydrogen and ammonia plant. It will also help Repsol's solar energy development in the same area.

The project is expected to bring 115 direct jobs to the region. Meanwhile, around 30 other large-scale industrial and energy projects are in progress across Alentejo. These include green steel plants, hydrogen facilities, data centres, and port expansions—many concentrated near Sines. The removal of thousands of cork oaks marks a significant change for the Sines area. The projects will expand renewable energy production but also alter the local landscape. Construction and hiring for the new facilities are due to follow shortly.