Penamacor and Fundão councils have issued unfavourable opinions on the revised Sophia solar project, raising concerns about land occupation, cumulative environmental effects and the electricity connection.
Penamacor acknowledges improvements, including a reduced footprint, the exclusion of areas within its municipal ecological structure and a single electricity connection corridor. However, it says these changes do not resolve the effects of concentrating energy infrastructure in the same territory. www.cm-penamacor.pt
Penamacor calls for a land-use ceiling
According to Penamacor council’s assessment, approximately 553.89 hectares are already committed to projects of this kind in the municipality. It attributes a further 624.54 hectares to the revised Sophia proposal, bringing the combined figure above 1,178 hectares.
The municipality reiterates its call for solar parks and similar energy infrastructure to occupy no more than 2% of its total area. Its statement advocates that ceiling but does not announce a regulation bringing it into force.
Penamacor wants existing, licensed and committed developments assessed together, accounting for their combined effects on landscapes, ecosystems and future land use. It also considers the proposed local benefits insufficient and seeks stronger guarantees for dismantling infrastructure and restoring land after operation. noticiasdacovilha.pt
Fundão objects to the remaining power line
Fundão council has also submitted a negative opinion to the Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (APA). It welcomes the removal of solar panels from the municipality and protection of the future Regadio Gardunha Sul area.
However, it objects to the remaining 400 kV connection to Fundão’s substation, citing effects on agricultural and forestry land and restrictions associated with a 45-metre easement corridor.
The council wants a rigorous comparison of alternative routes, clear information for affected landowners and fair compensation. cm-fundao.pt
The developer’s position
Lightsource bp says the redesign reduces planned capacity from 867 to 573 megawatts peak and replaces two proposed very high voltage lines with one. It also stresses that the area examined in environmental studies differs from the project’s physical footprint.
The latest consultation ran from 8 to 21 October. The developer says submissions will be examined through the environmental assessment process and that dialogue with communities will continue. lightsourcebp.com
