LISBON, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Portugal's government on Thursday approved a sectoral program designating more than 800 areas across approximately 170 municipalities on the Portuguese mainland as priority zones for the accelerated licensing and development of solar and wind energy projects.
Minister of Cabinet Affairs Antonio Leitao Amaro said the designated areas, which cover around 1 percent of mainland Portugal's total surface, will benefit from shorter licensing deadlines and exemptions from certain environmental impact assessments, allowing investment in renewable energy to proceed more quickly.
"A series of areas across the country where the licensing and investment in solar and wind projects are faster, with shorter deadlines and exemptions from specific environmental impact assessments," Leitao Amaro told reporters following a cabinet meeting.
The areas were identified based on energy potential and available land, as well as existing experience in implementing renewable energy projects in each location, he said.
