1. Extension of Deadlines - Order no. 71/ seaen/2025
Order no. 71/SEAEn/2025, issued by the Deputy Secretary of State for Energy on 30 September, was published today, extending by 12 months the deadlines set out in no. 1 of Joint Order no. 1/SEAMB/SEENC, of 22 February, 2024, and not covered by Order no. 170/MAEn/2025.
Order no. 170/MAEn/2025 raised doubts as to the application of the extension of the deadlines to power stations outside the scope of the competitive procedures, namely in relation to production and operation licenses granted under Decree-Law no. 15/2022, of 14 January, and operation certificates applicable to power plants with an installed capacity of up to 1 MW.
Joint Order no. 1/SEAMB/SEENC, of February 22, 2024, included the above situations in its scope of application, so Order no. 71/SEAEn/2025 extended the scope of the extension of Order no. 170/MAEN/2025, for reasons of equality and legal certainty, to the following situations:
- Production and operation licenses granted under Decree-Law no. 15/2022 of 14 January;
- Operation certificates applicable to electricity production centers from renewable sources with an installed capacity of up to 1 MW.
For more information on Order no. 71/SEAEn/2025, you can consult it here.
2. Public Consultation - Transposition of the RED III Directive with regard to changes to the National Electricity System
A legislative project that partially transposes Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III) was submitted for public consultation today, introducing changes to the legal framework applicable to the national electricity sector, approved by Decree-Law no. 15/2022 of 14 January.
Among the main measures is the creation of the Renewable Energy Implementation Acceleration Zones (ZAER), designed to simplify and speed up the implementation of projects, reducing licensing deadlines and concentrating administrative procedures.
A specific prior control regime is also proposed for projects located in the ZAERs, including a simplified environmental verification procedure, but which maintains the necessary environmental and social safeguards.
The project also provides for the drawing up of a National Plan for the Promotion of Knowledge and Public Acceptance of Renewable Energies, with a view to strengthening the participation and involvement of local communities, as well as the creation of regular communication channels with citizens and organizations.
In addition, promoters of renewable energy projects will be required to submit a plan of measures to facilitate public acceptance as a condition of their license.
Those interested in participating in this public consultation may do so until October 23rd, and comments and documents must be submitted exclusively through the ConsultaLex portal (www.consultalex.gov.pt)
