Portugal’s renewable energy ‘Green Map’ up for public consultation

The Portuguese government has launched a public consultation on its new ‘Green Map’, a planning tool designed to identify the areas of Portugal most suitable for renewable energy projects and help accelerate the licensing process.

The map defines so-called Renewable Energy Acceleration Areas (ZAER), where future projects could benefit from simplified licensing procedures, greater planning certainty and improved coordination with local authorities and communities.

According to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the proposals were developed by an independent team led by Maria do Rosário Partidário, the academic who also chaired the technical commission responsible for evaluating options for Lisbon’s new airport.

The areas were identified using criteria including environmental sensitivity, renewable energy potential, land-use planning considerations and proximity to existing electricity networks.

The government says the initiative is intended to provide greater clarity for investors while ensuring renewable energy development takes place in locations considered most appropriate from an environmental and territorial perspective.

“The Green Map is an essential instrument for accelerating Portugal‘s energy transition,” Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho said in a statement.

“It ensures simpler rules, greater predictability and stronger participation by local communities, while maintaining a balance between energy, the environment and territorial planning.”

The consultation opened today on the Participa portal and invites contributions from members of the public, municipalities, environmental organisations and renewable energy developers.

Source: LUSA

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.