The APA confirmed today to Lusa news agency that, within the framework of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure, “in its presented configuration, the project [Beira photovoltaic power plant] did not meet the conditions to be viable, therefore the APA consulted the proponent regarding the interest in the project being modified” under the legal regime of EIA.

The Beira photovoltaic power plant project involves the installation of 425,600 photovoltaic modules, with a total power of 266 Megawatts (MW), in an area of ​​524.4 hectares in the municipalities of Castelo Branco (Monforte da Beira, Malpica do Tejo, Benquerenças, União das Freguesias de Escalos de Baixo e Mata and Castelo Branco) and Idanha-a-Nova (Ladoeiro and União das Freguesias de Idanha-a-Nova e Alcafozes).

Within the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure, and based on the analysis developed by the Evaluation Committee (coordinated by the APA and including eight other public administration and academic entities), “significant negative impacts were identified in terms of ecological systems and land use in relation to the Beira Photovoltaic Power Plant project”.

Review

According to the APA (Environmental Protection Agency), the company promoting the project has expressed interest in reviewing the project and the proposed mitigation measures. Therefore, it now has six months (180 working days) to do so and introduce the changes it deems appropriate to minimize the identified negative impacts and bring the project into line with current values.

Following this, it must submit the documents related to this review to the APA, which will be subject to a new period of public consultation and a new technical analysis by the evaluation committee.

"As a result of this evaluation, the APA will issue the respective Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) [unfavourable, conditionally favourable, or favourable]," the agency explained.

The APA further clarified that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure carried out in 2024 related to the project was closed after the declaration of non-compliance of the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) then presented and "because the proponent did not present all the necessary information for evaluation purposes."

SIC reported the rejection of this project on Monday night, with confirmation given to the channel by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho.

Sophia project

The APA (Portuguese Environment Agency) also confirmed to Lusa news agency that the environmental assessment of the Sophia Photovoltaic Power Plant project is still underway.

“The APA, as the EIA authority, will consider the results of the analysis developed by the Evaluation Committee and, depending on them, will consider the approach to be adopted.”

The legally stipulated deadline for this EIA procedure ends on February 9.

The Sophia photovoltaic solar power plant covers the municipalities of Fundão, Idanha-a-Nova and Penamacor, in the district of Castelo Branco, and represents an investment of approximately 590 million euros, for an installed capacity of 867 MWp (Megawatt peak).

This project encompasses 390 hectares of area occupied by photovoltaic modules, 435 hectares including all infrastructure, and a total of 1,734 hectares of fenced area.