One of Portugal’s largest planned solar energy projects is being significantly scaled back after an environmental assessment raised concerns about its potential impact on the landscape, soil, land use, planning and the local economy.
The Sophia solar project, developed by Lightsource bp in the Beira Baixa region, will see its proposed capacity reduced by 34%, from 867 MWp to around 573 MWp.
The amount of land enclosed by the project will also fall by 32%, while the number of separately fenced areas will be cut from 44 to 22.
Smaller Project Footprint
The original proposal covered parts of Fundão, Idanha-a-Nova and Penamacor in Castelo Branco district.
Under the revised plan, the solar panel areas in Penamacor and Idanha-a-Nova will be reduced, while Fundão will no longer host solar panels. However, part of the electricity connection to the grid will still pass through the municipality.
The transmission network has also been redesigned. Four planned overhead medium-voltage corridors have been removed, while around 70% of the preferred electricity route will follow existing infrastructure.
Lightsource bp says approximately 70% of the land selected for the revised solar installation is currently used for eucalyptus monoculture.
The redesign also avoids 222.1 hectares of agricultural land that had been identified as having potential for future irrigation.
Environmental Impact Reduced
The revised proposal includes several changes aimed at addressing concerns raised during the environmental assessment.
The project’s impact on areas classified under Portugal’s National Ecological Reserve will be reduced dramatically, from 10.8 hectares to around 0.1 hectares — a reduction of approximately 99%.
Plans affecting 7.1 hectares of Pyrenean oak woodland have also been removed. The new proposal will avoid the removal of large cork and holm oak trees.
Wildlife protection has also been considered. The revised design increases the distance between the development and a black vulture roost from approximately 290 metres to 4.4 kilometres.
More Than €20 Million in Local Measures
Lightsource bp Portugal managing director Miguel Lobo said feedback from local communities, public meetings and government bodies had played an important role in shaping the redesigned project.
The developer has also proposed more than €20 million in local measures, including assistance for households facing energy poverty, collective self-consumption initiatives, fire prevention, employment and training programmes, agricultural support and sustainable tourism projects across Beira Baixa.
If approved, construction is currently planned for 2029.
However, the redesigned Sophia project has not yet received approval. Lightsource bp must submit the revised proposal to the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) by October 2.
The APA will then publish the plans and open a new 10-working-day public consultation before the assessment commission reviews the changes.
The next stage will determine whether the reduced size and redesigned infrastructure are sufficient to address the environmental concerns surrounding the original project.