PAER: Public Consultation Opens the Door to 10 GW of Offshore Wind Capacity
The updated Plan for the Allocation of Offshore Renewable Energy Exploration (PAER) was open for public consultation until December 2023 and identifies areas with potential for 10 GW.
The Plan for the Allocation of Offshore Renewable Energy Exploration (PAER) identifies the maritime areas most suitable for developing commercial floating wind farms. An updated version was open for public consultation until 13 December 2023, outlining areas with a combined potential of up to 10 GW.
The Ministry of Economy and the Sea removed the Sintra-Cascais area from the initial list of seven locations, leaving Viana do Castelo (North and South), Leixões, Figueira da Foz, Ericeira and Sines. Of the 10 GW to be auctioned, Viana do Castelo North gets 1.09 GW, South 1.03 GW, Leixões 2 GW, Ericeira 0.5 GW, Figueira da Foz 4 GW and Sines 1.5 GW.
The new PAER version is accompanied by an environmental report, under Decree-Law No. 232/2007 of 15 June, identifying the likely impacts of offshore wind on the marine environment and underwater cultural heritage, and proposing mitigation measures, including meetings with the fishing sector.