Changes and Updates to Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures under Decree-Law 11/2023

Decree-Law No. 11/2023 brings changes to Environmental Impact Assessment (AIA) aimed at improving procedural efficiency while maintaining the balance between environmental protection and sustainable development. One of the main changes is the reduction of cases requiring case-by-case analysis, making the definitions of AIA-exempt projects clearer and more objective.

Examples of activities with reduced analysis

• Solar power generation on areas under 15 hectares and more than 2 km from other photovoltaic plants above 1 MW
• Wind power generation with a single turbine more than 2 km from another turbine
• Food, textile, tanning, wood, paper and rubber industries in industrial parks away from residential areas and under 1 hectare
• Railway modernisation and urban allotment projects
• Overhead power lines with voltage equal to or below 30 kV
• Hydrogen production projects from renewable sources

These measures aim to simplify environmental licensing processes while still ensuring compliance with established environmental standards.