Sophia ‘photovoltaic parque’: Quercus challenges APA – Portugal Resident

Posted on August 13, 2026 by Now.Solar

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Quercus Castelo Branco is questioning Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) about the process of reformulating the massively contested Sophia Solar Photovoltaic Plant. 
At issue is the APA’s decision to suspend the administrative procedures for a maximum period of 180 working days, to allow the developer, Lightsource BP, to submit reformulated elements of the project.

According to Quercus, the public consultation ended on November 20, but the Evaluation Committee’s opinion and the public consultation report were only released by APA in May – after several criticisms regarding the lack of transparency in the process.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, the environmental association recalls that APA stated, in a response sent on May 15, that it had resorted to the “project modification” mechanism, provided for in Article 16 of Decree-Law No. 151-B/2013. However, Quercus considers that a question it regards as essential remained unanswered: the date on which the 180-working-day period granted to the developer began to run.
The information is considered particularly relevant because, after the reformulation, the project in the already overloaded-with-solar projects Beira Baixa region is expected to be subject to public consultation again – but for only 10 working days, “a period so short, that seems to still fall within the holiday period”. 
Quercus warns that such a short period could make it difficult for local populations to become aware of the changes in a timely manner and to participate in the process.

In the statement, Quercus also questions what procedures will follow the submission of the reformulation and asks APA “what are the arguments” for considering viable the alteration of a project that received a negative opinion from the Evaluation Committee.
Quercus stresses that this negative opinion was unanimous among experts and points to “negative environmental and territorial impacts of high magnitude, several of which are permanent and irreversible, aggravated by significant cumulative effects resulting from the concentration of renewable energy production projects and associated infrastructure in the territory. 
“Among the main impacts identified are the “extensive occupation and artificialisation of the soil, ecological fragmentation, increased pressure on water resources, loss of habitats, structural degradation of the landscape and lasting impacts on agricultural and forestry uses, without the carrying capacity of the territory having been demonstrated”. (All these impacts have been identified in another project, in Alcácer do Sal, equally hotly contested – but still given the green light that promoters seek.)
The Evaluation Committee further concluded that there was “poor compatibility of the project with the principles of environmental sustainability, spatial planning and territorial justice”, considering that there was a “disproportion between the expected energy benefits and the magnitude, extent and of the cumulative impacts identified”.
Opposition to the project, Quercus recalls, was massive. It brought together 12,570 citizens, as well as positions from local authorities, environmental non-governmental organisations and entities such as Turismo de Portugal.
The association also criticises the lack of transparency that, it says, has characterised the Environmental Impact Assessment process. In this regard, it recalls that during the protest held on May 6 outside the APA headquarters in Castelo Branco, citizens were reportedly prevented from filing complaints due to the absence of the Complaints Book, with the GNR taking note of the incident.
Quercus calls on Lightsource BP to abandon the Sophia Solar Plant “before it is rejected again”. 
The association also appeals to the prime minister, arguing that the negative opinion of the Evaluation Committee and the recommendations of Resolution of the Assembly of the Republic No. 102/2025 should be respected.
Quercus clarifies that it does not oppose the energy transition, instead advocating decentralisation, self-consumption and the priority use of artificialised areas (disused mines and other infrastructure already existing). 
According to the association, its opposition focuses on “megalomaniacal projects in sensitive natural areas” and on what it considers to be an imposition on local populations without sufficient transparency.
For Quercus Castelo Branco, the continuation of opposition to this vast project will depend on the involvement of citizens, local movements and local authorities in defending the territory.
Source: Quercus

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.

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