Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal, July 14, 2026 (Lusa) - The Idanha-a-Nova Municipal Council, in eastern Portugal, has expressed its opposition to the government's Renewable Energy Deployment Acceleration Zones Programme (PSZAER) due to its permanent and irreversible environmental impacts.

In a statement, the Idanha-a-Nova council said it had formally submitted a negative opinion via the PSZAER’s official platform, expressing its opposition “to changes in the energy transition that cause permanent and irreversible environmental impacts”.

The public consultation on the PSZAER is ongoing until the 15th on the Participa Portal and constitutes a key stage for the participation of citizens, local authorities, environmental organisations, developers, associations and other stakeholders in the process of defining the Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones (ZAER) in mainland Portugal.

A technical assessment of the proposed renewable energy acceleration zones identifies around 7% of mainland territory as having the potential to accelerate solar and wind projects, but warns that implementation depends on the grid, licensing, the market and public acceptance.

This conclusion is set out in the Strategic Environmental Assessment and the proposed programme for the ZAERs, a technical document currently open for public consultation on the final demarcation of the areas.

“Landscape preservation is of crucial importance to Idanha-a-Nova; consequently, the authority objects to the visual degradation and loss of landscape character resulting from the installation of mega-power stations,” it emphasised.

According to the council, these facilities are expected to have a cumulative impact on 5,351 hectares, corresponding to around 4% of the district’s total area, which conflicts with the well-being of local residents.

However, it reaffirms its support for the transition to clean energy sources based on decentralised production models, the use of developed areas, the promotion of self-consumption and small-scale energy communities.

“These options ensure that there is less conflict with nature and with people.”

The Idanha-a-Nova council reaffirms its opposition “to the implementation of large-scale projects that strip away the character of the natural heritage and jeopardise local progress”.

The mayor, Elza Gonçalves, is committed to “uncompromisingly defending the quality of life of the people of Idanha-a-Nova and future generations” and rejects the notion that national decarbonisation targets justify the sacrifice of local authorities’ endogenous resources.

CCC/AYLS // AYLS

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