A British multinational promoter of the Sophia photovoltaic solar plant has until October 2 to submit to the Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (AIA) the reformulation of the project following the identification of “very significant negative impacts”.
The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) confirmed to Lusa that “the submission of the respective elements by the proponent [Lightsource bp] should be submitted to the AIA authority by October 2, 2026.”
In February, the evaluation committee coordinated by the APA revealed to Lusa the identification of “significant and very significant negative impacts” in the Sophia solar photovoltaic plant project that spans the municipalities of Fundão, Idanha-a-Nova and Penamacor, in the district of Castelo Branco.
According to the AIA, these significant and very significant negative impacts occurred notably at the level of landscape, soil and land use, territorial planning, and the socioeconomic aspects.
The announced investment hovered around 590 million euros for an installed capacity of 867 MWp (Megawatt peak) and included 390 hectares of area occupied by photovoltaic modules, 435 hectares considering all infrastructures, and a total of 1,734 hectares of fenced-off area.
Faced with the situation, the project promoter announced its reformulation based on the Evaluation Commission’s opinion, the public consultation report, and an on-site active listening process in the territory.
The 180-working-day deadline, provided by current law, began on January 20, 2026, and after the notification of the opinion issued by the Evaluation Commission.
“The AIA procedure is thus suspended for the purpose of reformulating the project and presenting the respective elements by the proponent, which must be submitted to the AIA authority by October 2, 2026.”
Upon receipt of these elements, the APA, acting as the AIA authority, will make them available through the Environmental Impact Assessment Information System (SIAIA) and the Participa portal, and will trigger the procedures provided for by the legislation.
These include the promotion of a new public consultation period, lasting 10 working days, and the Evaluation Commission’s assessment of the reformulated project elements.
The results of this new assessment, including the contributions received within the scope of the public consultation, will be “duly weighed in the Environmental Impact Statement to be issued for the modified project.”
