Portugal Pre-Approves Over 800 Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Portuguese government pre-approved more than 800 Renewable Energy Acceleration and Implementation Zones (ZAER) at the Council of Ministers this Wednesday, covering approximately 170 municipalities. The Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, announced the decision at a press conference.

According to the sectoral plan for Renewable Energy Acceleration and Implementation Zones approved by the Council of Ministers, the initiative aims to designate a series of areas across the national territory where permitting and investment processes for solar and wind energy projects will be faster, with shorter approval timelines and exemptions from specific environmental impact assessments. Leitão Amaro explained that these zones were identified after public consultation and cover approximately 1% of mainland Portugal's territory.

The selection of zones combined two factors: on one hand, energy potential; on the other, baseline restrictions and considerations related to environmental, agricultural, water resources, cultural heritage, certain defense and administrative services, and other installations, while also taking into account the need to meet renewable energy targets. The minister stated that these territories were identified based on their potential and available area.

Of the more than 800 approved acceleration zones, approximately 500 will be designated for solar power generation, while the remaining 300 will be used for the installation of wind energy centers. According to the communiqué issued by the Council of Ministers, the plan also reconciles streamlined procedures with the protection of environmental, landscape, heritage, and territorial values, while promoting investment and regional development.

Leitão Amaro stated that the pre-approval will ensure faster project implementation, enabling Portugal to produce more green energy within its own territory.