"The Sophia photovoltaic solar plant, which is currently under public consultation, will enable the conversion of 135 hectares of eucalyptus into cork oak and holm oak stands, with the expected planting of approximately 27,000 of these native trees in the Castelo Branco district," Lightsource bp announced in a statement.

The project and its Environmental Impact Assessment are still in the early stages of development, allowing for detailed development and adjustments based on recommendations from the involved entities.

According to the multinational, the investment is approximately €590 million, and the installed capacity of the photovoltaic plant will be 867 MWp (megawatt-peak).

The company also reports that the plant has an estimated annual production of 1,271 GWh (gigawatt-hours), which will allow it to generate "energy equivalent to powering more than 370,000 homes."

The project, located in the municipalities of Fundão, Penamacor, and Idanha-a-Nova, in the Castelo Branco district, "will create more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, especially during the construction phase (three years)," and the municipalities "will also receive other economic and social benefits over the project's approximately 40-year lifespan."

"With environmental preservation and enhancement as fundamental pillars, Lightsource bp will implement a comprehensive Green Structure and Landscape Integration Plan, which includes the reconversion and reforestation of 228 hectares, including 135 hectares currently occupied by eucalyptus."

According to the multinational, the plan also includes measures to restore riverside vegetation, create tree and shrub hedges, and encourage the natural regeneration of cerrado and grassland, promoting the mobility of species in and around the project area and natural erosion control.

Ecological criteria

"From the conception phase, the project was designed with strict ecological criteria, ensuring the preservation of areas with the highest conservation value and ensuring that the cork oak and holm oak stands will be fully preserved. Furthermore, the 421 cork oaks and 1,120 holm oaks to be felled are isolated trees."

According to the statement, more than 75% of these cork oaks are smaller than 16 centimeters in diameter, and in the case of holm oaks, this figure exceeds 85%.

However, the company promises that "a total of approximately 27,000 cork oaks and holm oaks will be planted, that is, 18 times more cork oaks and holm oaks than will be affected."

Furthermore, it explains that with the maturation of the plantations and the associated offset measures, the carbon retention capacity of the project area is estimated to increase by approximately 225,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over the 40 years of exploration.

Present in 18 countries, "Lightsource bp is a world leader in the development and management of solar energy projects," according to its website.

The company was fully acquired by bp in 2024.