Portugal approves renewables acceleration zones and storm relief funding

Portugal's Council of Ministers approved a sectoral programme identifying mainland areas suited for solar and onshore wind projects, aiming to speed up permitting while protecting environmental and heritage values. Separately, funding for the 'Territórios Resilientes' programme, which supports river and coastal areas hit by storms and floods in January and February 2026, including storm Kristin, was raised to 80 million euros, with extra money for five municipalities. The government also approved removing 232.22 hectares of forest-regime land in Vila Nova de Paiva for two solar plants, compensated by adding an equivalent area elsewhere.