Coimbra Metropolitan Region Opposes Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones

The Região Metropolitana de Coimbra (RMC) issued an unfavorable opinion on the Portuguese Program for Acceleration Zones for Renewable Energies (PZAER), which aims to create designated areas for wind and solar parks with streamlined environmental licensing.

The RMC criticized the plan for being drafted “against the will of the municipalities,” noting concerns such as the concentration of zones in a few municipalities, pressure on agricultural and forest soils, and potential cumulative impacts on landscape, biodiversity, ecological corridors and cultural heritage. It also highlighted the lack of clear, equitable mechanisms to share the economic benefits of renewable energy production with local communities, urging the establishment of maximum occupancy limits per municipality and stronger municipal involvement in monitoring and evaluation.

The region called for differentiated benefit‑sharing measures, including territorial development funds, structural investments and direct benefits for local populations, rather than solely land‑owner compensation.