Portuguese government announces model of the competitive procedure for offshore wind

This means that the government will select and prepare areas before each auction. Key permitting and legal frameworks will be in place early. Auctions will roll out in phases, enabling a more strategic buildout of capacity

Portugal aims to install 2 GW of offshore wind by 2030, and this model provides a clearer path to get there. It is expected to reduce early-stage risk for developers, accelerate project timelines, and ensure better coordination between energy planning, marine spatial planning, and environmental protection. 

Full tender documentation ready by October 

Under the centralised sequential model, the Portuguese government takes on the role of preparing tender areas before auctioning them. According to the decree, three governmental bodies, DGRM (Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services), DGEG (Directorate-General for Energy and Geology), and EMER (Task Force for Renewable Energy Licensing), will support the government in operationalising and implementing the tender procedure and have been tasked with delivering two key outputs:

• A tender proposal including key auction parameters, development timelines, and pre-qualification rules within 60 days
• The full tender documentation for the first auction round within 180 days (by October 2025).

The auctions will be based on areas already designated under the Offshore Renewable Energy Action Plan (PAER), which was approved earlier this year and aligns with the revised National Energy and Climate Plan (PNEC 2030).

-Seeing announcements from the Portuguese Government with specific dates and timelines like this is great news. These announcements also demonstrate the Government’s commitment and help build confidence for further development in the supply chain. Norwegian Offshore Wind members and local Portuguese companies have already made significant progress in their collaborative efforts, and I expect this news will pave the way for further announcements of close cooperation in the near future, says Einar Tollaksvik, Head of Working Group Portugal, and CEO of Vestervind Contractors.