Castelo Branco, Portugal, Jan. 5, 2026 (Lusa) - The Portuguese Platform for the Defence of the Tejo Internacional Natural Park (PDPNTI) will deliver a public petition against the mega solar power plants in Beira Baixa to the parliament on the 30th, followed by a demonstration on the 31st January.
In the petition "Save Beira Baixa - Stop the Mega Solar Power Plants", which has already collected more than 18,000 signatures, thus ensuring its discussion in plenary at the parliament, the signatories demand a halt to plans for mega solar power plants in natural areas and fragile ecosystems in Beira Baixa, an eastern region in central Portugal.
In addition, they want the Naturtejo Geopark and other areas recognised by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) to be protected and demand that sustainable alternatives be prioritised, such as the installation of solar panels on existing artificial surfaces, roofs, industrial areas and the creation of energy communities.
Finally, they want residents to "have a say in the decisions that shape their future."
"Beira Baixa deserves a future where nature and people thrive together. We, residents and friends of Beira Baixa, write to express our deep concern about the possibility of installing several mega solar power plants in our beautiful region, especially in the districts of Fundão, Penamacor and Idanha [Castelo Branco region]," the document reads.
On the 31st January, the Platform for the Defence of the Tejo Internacional Natural Park is promoting a national demonstration starting at 2:00 p.m., with the gathering scheduled for Santa Apolónia (in downtown Lisbon).
This protest action, called "The Interior is not for sale - No to mega solar power plants," aims to raise awareness and bring Beira Baixa and the entire Interior of the nation to Lisbon, "not only as threatened territories, but as living spaces, full of history, culture, traditions and memories that define us."
"We show that what is at stake is not just a technical or energy issue, but the human, cultural and environmental values that make the interior a unique place worthy of preservation," explains this civic movement.
Recently, the evaluation committee coordinated by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) rejected the Beira photovoltaic power plant project after identifying significant negative impacts on ecological systems and land use.
This project involved the installation of 425,600 photovoltaic modules, with a total power of 266 Megawatts (MW), in an area of 524.4 hectares in the district of Castelo Branco (Monforte da Beira, Malpica do Tejo, Benquerenças, União das Freguesias de Escalos de Baixo e Mata and Castelo Branco) and in Idanha-a-Nova (Ladoeiro and União das Freguesias de Idanha-a-Nova and Alcafozes).
The developer has already expressed interest in reviewing the project and the proposed mitigation measures, and now has six months (180 working days) to do so and introduce any changes it deems appropriate to minimise the identified negative impacts and bring the project into line with the values at stake.
After that, it must submit the documents relating to this review to the Environment Agency, which will be subject to "a new period of public consultation and a new technical analysis" by the evaluation committee.
As for the Lightsource bp Sophia Photovoltaic Power Plant project, the respective environmental assessment is still ongoing.
The legal deadline for this environmental impact assessment procedure is on 9 of February.
This solar photovoltaic power plant covers the local authorities of Fundão, Idanha-a-Nova and Penamacor, in the region of Castelo Branco, and represents an investment of around €590 million, for an installed capacity of 867 MWp (megawatt peak).
The project covers an area of 390 hectares occupied by photovoltaic modules, 435 hectares including all infrastructure, and a total of 1,734 hectares of fenced area.
CCC/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
