Portugal has taken a significant step toward expanding its renewable energy portfolio by inviting expressions of interest from developers to participate in an offshore wind tender. In this inaugural auction round, Lisbon has unveiled plans to venture into offshore wind energy projects in the regions of Viana do Castelo, Leixões, and Figueira da Foz, with a potential total capacity of up to 3.5 gigawatts (GW).
The move aligns with Portugal's ongoing efforts to bolster its electricity generation from sustainable sources, as outlined in the initial version of the National Energy and Climate Plan 2030 (PNEC). The PNEC sets a target of 2 GW for ocean-based wind technology, with the government displaying the ambition of allocating a substantial 10 GW by 2030 through competitive procedures.
The primary objective of this tender is to allocate reservation titles for offshore energy generation to supply the Public Service Electric Grid. The procedures for this initiative are grounded in the areas defined in the draft Allocation Plan for Offshore Renewable Energies, currently open for public consultation.
The inaugural tender aims to stimulate the development of the industrial value chain while actively involving the Portuguese business sector and enhancing national port infrastructures to support the growing offshore wind industry.
Interested parties who formally express their interest will receive invitations to participate in a dialogue phase, which will explore pre-qualification and bidding models, fostering collaboration and innovation in the pursuit of Portugal's ambitious renewable energy goals.
