{"id":5101,"date":"2026-09-19T10:39:46","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T10:39:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/?page_id=5101"},"modified":"2026-10-07T13:12:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T13:12:55","slug":"carta-aberta-a-ren-sobre-os-gasodutos-celza","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/en\/carta-aberta-a-ren-sobre-os-gasodutos-celza\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Letter to REN Regarding the CelZa Pipelines"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"trp-shortcode-switcher__wrapper\"\r\n     style=\"--bg:#FFFFFF;--bg-hover:#000000;--text:#143852;--text-hover:#ffffff;--border:1px solid #143852;--border-width:1px;--border-color:#143852;--border-radius:5px;--flag-radius:2px;--flag-size:18px;--aspect-ratio:4\/3;--font-size:14px;--transition-duration:0.2s\"\r\n     role=\"group\"\r\n     data-open-mode=\"hover\">\r\n\r\n    \r\n        <!-- ANCHOR (in-flow only; sizing\/borders; inert) -->\r\n        <div class=\"trp-language-switcher trp-ls-dropdown trp-shortcode-switcher trp-shortcode-anchor trp-open-on-hover\"\r\n             aria-hidden=\"true\"\r\n             inert\r\n data-no-translation>\r\n                <div class=\"trp-current-language-item__wrapper\">\r\n        <a class=\"trp-language-item trp-language-item__default trp-language-item__current\" data-no-translation href=\"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5101\" title=\"English\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/flags\/4x3\/en_GB.svg\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><span class=\"trp-language-item-name\">English<\/span><\/a>                    <svg class=\"trp-shortcode-arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewbox=\"0 0 20 21\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n                <path d=\"M5 8L10 13L15 8\" stroke=\"var(--text)\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\r\n            <\/svg>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <!-- OVERLAY (positioned; interactive surface) -->\r\n        <div class=\"trp-language-switcher trp-ls-dropdown trp-shortcode-switcher trp-shortcode-overlay trp-open-on-hover\"\r\n             role=\"navigation\"\r\n             aria-label=\"Website language selector\"\r\n             data-no-translation\r\n>\r\n                <div class=\"trp-current-language-item__wrapper\">\r\n        <div class=\"trp-language-item trp-language-item__default trp-language-item__current\" data-no-translation role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Change language\" aria-controls=\"trp-shortcode-dropdown-6addbc2208893\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/flags\/4x3\/en_GB.svg\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><span class=\"trp-language-item-name\">English<\/span><\/div>                    <svg class=\"trp-shortcode-arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewbox=\"0 0 20 21\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\r\n                <path d=\"M5 8L10 13L15 8\" stroke=\"var(--text)\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\r\n            <\/svg>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n    \r\n            <div class=\"trp-switcher-dropdown-list\"\r\n                 id=\"trp-shortcode-dropdown-6addbc2208893\"\r\n                 role=\"group\"\r\n                 aria-label=\"Available languages\"\r\n                 hidden\r\n inert\r\n>\r\n                                                            <a class=\"trp-language-item\" href=\"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5101\" title=\"Portuguese\">\r\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/flags\/4x3\/pt_PT.svg\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" alt=\"\" role=\"presentation\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>                                                            <span class=\"trp-language-item-name\" data-no-translation>Portuguese<\/span>\r\n                                                                                <\/a>\r\n                                                <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>To the board of REN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The individuals and civil society organizations signing this open letter hereby express their opposition to the CelZa gas pipeline and pose a question to REN:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What will the CelZa pipelines be used for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of the H2Med project, which aims to connect Portugal and Spain to central Europe for the export of green hydrogen, the CelZa pipeline involves the construction of a section between Celorico da Beira and Zamora (the CelZa pipeline) and an additional section between Figueira da Foz and Cantanhede.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But we know that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>a) these pipelines are an old idea that has already been rejected<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The previous proposal for this pipeline \u2013 the MidCat pipeline, which was intended solely for the export of fossil gas \u2013 was rejected in the past due to its environmental impact. Now, REN is proposing to build the CelZa pipelines \u2013 which, according to the company, will be used to transport hydrogen<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>b) the proposed routes for the gas pipelines may cross four rivers and ecologically sensitive areas, such as:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the Alto Douro Wine Region, the Montesinho Natural Park, the Douro river, the \tSabor river, the Ma\u00e7\u00e3s river, and the Mondego river<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>c) these pipelines will be used solely for export<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>According to the project\u2019s promoters, on the project\u2019s website: \u201cThis project will play a key role in the export of renewable hydrogen produced in countries with abundant resources, such as Spain and Portugal, to major consumption centres, notably in France and Germany.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>d) the hydrogen targets are unrealistic<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>According to a report by the European Court of Auditors, which states that the targets \u201cwere driven by political will rather than being based on sound analysis\u201d. It also notes, in the same section, that \u201cat the time of writing this report, it is unlikely that these 2030 targets will be met\u201d (1)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>e) Exporting hydrogen is inefficient<\/strong>, <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>as several studies indicate that hydrogen production should take place near the place \tof consumption (2) (3) (4) and (5)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>f) it is technically feasible to blend hydrogen and fossil gas<\/strong>, <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>therefore, the CelZa gas pipelines could be used as yet another infrastructure for \tfossil gas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Given all this, we also know that the climate crisis is already having real impacts and claiming victims worldwide. As such, we have an obligation not to build new fossil fuel infrastructure, such as new pipelines, if we want to limit global warming to around 1.5\u00b0C. (6) and (7)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We conclude that CelZa makes no contribution to Portugal\u2019s decarbonization. On the contrary, this project poses risks both in terms of the destruction of habitats and protected areas and in terms of exacerbating the climate crisis by perpetuating the use of fossil gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For all these reasons, we hereby express our opposition to the CelZa pipelines and demand that REN explain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If they will not be used for hydrogen\u2014due to insufficient production in Portugal\u2014and if they cannot be used for natural gas \u2014because we need to ensure an end to our dependence on fossil fuels\u2014then what will the two pipelines be used for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a>1 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eca.europa.eu\/ECAPublications\/SR-2024-11\/SR-2024-11_ES.pdf\">https:\/\/www.eca.europa.eu\/ECAPublications\/SR-2024-11\/SR-2024-11_ES.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">2 \u2013 comiss\u00e3o europeia, \u201cEnergy efficiency of water electrolysers for hydrogen production\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">3 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/global-hydrogen-review-2025\">https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/global-hydrogen-review-2025<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">4 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/asmedigitalcollection.asme.org\/gasturbinespower\/article-abstract\/143\/12\/121020\/1115529\/Techno-Economic-Analysis-of-a-Hydrogen-Production?redirectedFrom=fulltext\">https:\/\/asmedigitalcollection.asme.org\/gasturbinespower\/article-abstract\/143\/12\/121020\/1115529\/Techno-Economic-Analysis-of-a-Hydrogen-Production?redirectedFrom=fulltext<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">5 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/bellona.org\/news\/eu\/2022-01-leaked-taxonomy-proposal-fossil-gas-sustainable-label-relies-on-promises-in-bad-faith-still-risks-wasting-all-our-renewable-energy\">https:\/\/bellona.org\/news\/eu\/2022-01-leaked-taxonomy-proposal-fossil-gas-sustainable-label-relies-on-promises-in-bad-faith-still-risks-wasting-all-our-renewable-energy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">6 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iisd.org\/articles\/press-release\/no-new-fossil-fuel-projects-needed-transition-net-zero\">https:\/\/www.iisd.org\/articles\/press-release\/no-new-fossil-fuel-projects-needed-transition-net-zero<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">7 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/net-zero-roadmap-a-global-pathway-to-keep-the-15-c-goal-in-reach\/a-renewed-pathway-to-net-zero-emissions\">https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/net-zero-roadmap-a-global-pathway-to-keep-the-15-c-goal-in-reach\/a-renewed-pathway-to-net-zero-emissions<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(lista de subscri\u00e7\u00f5es em baixo)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/framaforms.org\/subscrever-a-carta-aberta-a-ren-sign-the-open-letter-to-ren-1789813300\" width=\"100%\" height=\"800\" border=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">List of subscribers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Linha Vermelha<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Individuals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00c0 administra\u00e7\u00e3o da REN As pessoas e organiza\u00e7\u00f5es da sociedade civil subscritoras desta carta aberta, v\u00eam por este meio mostrar a sua oposi\u00e7\u00e3o ao gasoduto CelZa e&hellip; <span class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/en\/carta-aberta-a-ren-sobre-os-gasodutos-celza\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read more <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">&#8220;Carta aberta \u00e0 REN sobre os gasodutos CelZa&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5101","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5101"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5101\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5130,"href":"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5101\/revisions\/5130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/linhavermelha.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}