“There is no point in having the illusion that the energy transition, like the digital transition, is not a huge challenge for society as a whole, for territories, for companies and for workers,” he said.

According to António Costa, for the transition to be successful it cannot only have good environmental results, but “it also needs to be fair and inclusive, not leaving anyone behind”, highlighting the work developed over the last few months with the company, with unions and with the City Council of Abrantes.

In addition to the "environmental gain", with the "effective reduction in CO2 emissions" by making Portugal a "zero coal country in electricity production", Costa highlighted the creation of conditions to ensure the inclusion of workers in the transition process and the emergence of new economic activities in the territory.

In particular, he highlighted the fact that an office of the Institute of Employment and Professional Training is already in operation to develop training, reconversion and support programs for the employment of affected workers, who, he said, “naturally have the right and the State has the duty to ensure that they are not left behind with the discontinuation of electricity production from coal”.