Socialist Party proposes municipal revenue sharing from renewables

José Luís Carneiro, Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS), has proposed several reforms for local government during the party's National Municipal Convention in Leiria. A key proposal involves allowing municipalities to receive a portion of the revenue generated by renewable energy projects, arguing that local territories should be compensated for hosting sustainable energy infrastructure.

Carneiro also advocated for a new municipal electoral law designed to increase the stability of local executives while strengthening the oversight capabilities of municipal assemblies. He emphasized the need for a new Statute for Local Elected Officials to clarify rules regarding functions, incompatibilities, and impediments.

These proposals have drawn sharp criticism from former Secretary of State for Energy, João Galamba. Galamba argued that the PS is providing “a terrible service to the country” by proposing increased taxation on solar and wind energy. He contended that instead of creating new taxes or equating renewable energy to urban property for tax purposes, the government should focus on electrification and protecting the economy from fossil fuel volatility.