The APA confirmed to the Lusa news agency that, within the scope of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure for the Sophia Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant project, “significant and very significant negative impacts were identified, particularly in terms of landscape, soil and land use, spatial planning and socio-economics”.

It also states that the process considered the results of the public consultation.

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

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

Changing the project

In January, the developer of this photovoltaic solar plant publicly expressed his intention to reformulate the project.

The APA also emphasised that, as the EIA authority, it heard from the proponent regarding the possibility of resorting to the project modification mechanism foreseen in the EIA legal regime to avoid or minimise the identified impacts.

"The proponent expressed interest in proceeding with the modification of the project, which is why the EIA procedure was suspended for this purpose on 20 January 2026 [the deadline for the assessment procedure ended on 9 February], with the proponent having a maximum period of six months to present the respective modification proposal."

Unfavourable opinion

The Intermunicipal Community (CIM) of Beira Baixa issued an unfavourable opinion on the Sophia photovoltaic solar power plant project, within the scope of the public consultation, due to the enormous impacts on the community and the territory.