Environmental group keeps objection to downsized Sophia solar plant in Penamacor and Idanha-a-Nova

Environmental association ZERO has kept its unfavourable opinion on the revised Sophia photovoltaic plant, planned for Penamacor and Idanha-a-Nova, despite a cut in its scale. The fenced area falls from 1,737 to 1,177 hectares and capacity from 867 to 573 MWp, and use of fertile farmland drops sharply. ZERO still objects to about 250 hectares of panels, above the 200-hectare limit for renewables acceleration zones, to overlap with critical black stork habitat, and to risks for streams and soil. It says it would revisit its position if these flaws are corrected and financial guarantees are given for the environmental measures and the roughly €20 million promised to local communities.