Portugal approves ‘Green Map’ to accelerate renewable energy projects

The Portuguese government has approved the Sectoral Program for Renewable Energy Implementation Acceleration Zones (PSZAER), a strategic initiative colloquially known as the ‘Green Map’. This program identifies over 800 priority areas across more than 147 municipalities in mainland Portugal suitable for solar photovoltaic and wind energy projects.

Managed by the ‘Renewable Energy Project Licensing Task Force’ (EMER 2030), the plan aims to align with the European Union’s RED III directive. By pre-identifying high-potential zones, the government intends to streamline administrative approval processes, reduce bureaucratic delays, and provide greater predictability for private investors. In these designated zones, certain projects may benefit from simplified environmental assessments or, under specific legal frameworks, exemptions from traditional environmental impact assessments (AIA).

To balance energy goals with land conservation, the program includes strict limitations. In most participating municipalities, renewable energy zones are generally restricted to no more than 1% of the total municipal area to minimize impacts on agriculture, landscapes, and ecosystems. While the government views this as a necessary step for energy autonomy and carbon reduction, environmental groups such as ‘Quercus’ and ‘GEOTA’ have expressed concerns regarding the potential for irreversible damage to fragile ecosystems due to relaxed environmental scrutiny.