A British multinational intends to build a photovoltaic plant covering the municipalities of Fundão, Idanha-a-Nova and Penamacor, in the district of Castelo Branco, in an investment of around 590 million euros.
“The Sophia photovoltaic solar plant, which is under public consultation, will allow the conversion of 135 hectares of eucalyptus into stands of cork oaks and holm oaks, with the planting of around 27 thousand specimens of these native trees in that territory of the Castelo Branco district”, announced Lightsource bp in a statement.
The project and its Environmental Impact Assessment are still in an early stage of development, allowing the project to be detailed and adjusted according to the recommendations of the entities involved.
According to the multinational, the investment is around 590 million euros and the installed capacity at the photovoltaic plant will be 867 MWp (Megawatt peak).
The company also informs that the plant has a planned annual production of 1,271 Gwh (gigawhatt-hour), which will allow it to generate “energy equivalent to supplying more than 370 thousand homes”.
The project located in the municipalities of Fundão, Penamacor and Idanha-a-Nova, in the district of Castelo Branco, “will create more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, especially during the construction phase (three years)” and the local authorities “will also receive other economic and social compensation over the approximately 40 years of the project’s useful life”.
“With environmental preservation and appreciation as fundamental pillars, Lightsource bp will implement a comprehensive Green Structure and Landscape Integration Plan, which includes the conversion and reforestation of 228 hectares, including 135 hectares currently occupied by eucalyptus.”
According to the multinational, the plan also foresees measures for the recovery of riverside vegetation, the creation of tree and shrub hedges and the encouragement of the natural regeneration of bushes and meadows, promoting the mobility of species in the project area and its surroundings, and the natural control of erosion.
“From the design phase, the project was designed with strict ecological criteria, ensuring the preservation of areas with the greatest conservation value, ensuring that the stands of cork oaks and holm oaks will be fully preserved. Furthermore, the 421 cork oaks and 1,120 holm oaks to be felled are isolated trees.”
According to the note, more than 75% of these cork oaks have a diameter of less than 16 centimeters and in the case of holm oaks, this value is greater than 85%.
However, the company promises that “a total of around 27 thousand cork oaks and holm oaks will be planted, that is, 18 times more cork oaks and holm oaks than will be affected”.
Furthermore, he explains that with the maturation of plantations and associated compensation measures, it is estimated that the carbon retention capacity in the project area will increase by around 225 thousand tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over the 40 years of exploration.
Present in 18 countries, “Lightsource bp is a world leader in the development and management of solar energy projects”, according to its website.
The company was fully acquired by bp in 2024.
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