Licensing guidance for marine renewable energy projects in Portugal (mainland coastal waters) (2016)

https://www.wavec.org/contents/reports/wavec-guide-web.pdf

Abstract: The complexity of the licensing process of Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) projects is indicated worldwide as one of the main barriers to the sector development. The reasons for this barrier are attached, among others, to the lack of clarity of procedures (arising from the lack of specific laws for this type of projects), to the varied number of authorities to be consulted and to the process delay. Understanding the factors that consider licensing as a barrier, as well as the discussion of the necessary measures to minimise their effects on the sector implementation in several Member States, have been some of the topics explored in various European-funded projects. This analysis has been based on the description of the licensing process in several countries in order to identify differences and similarities, advantages and disadvantages and good or better practices to streamline the process. The authors believe this document contributes to clarify the licensing process of MRE technologies in Portugal, as well as making it more expedient, since good or better practices are proposed throughout the document. This document also had the engagement of a group of authorities and colleagues with relevant expertise in the field, some of whom with direct intervention in the licensing process that promptly offered themselves to review and validate the document. Given the constant evolution of legal systems, the aim is to update the present information whenever significant change in the law may occur.

Citation: Jesus, J., Almodovar, M., Simas, T., 2016. Licensing guidance for marine renewable energy projects in Portugal (mainland coastal waters). WavEC Publications, Lisbon. 95p. https://www.wavec.org/contents/reports/wavec-guide-web.pdf