"sol lucet omnibus"- The Sun, when it rises, is for everyone. Sociotechnical Imaginaries Surrounding Mega Photovoltaic Power Plants

Supervisor/s: Ana Raquel Matos and António Carvalho

Doctoral Programme: Governance, Knowledge and Innovation

The fight against the climate emergency is a key priority for the European Commission, highlighted by the ambitious European Green Deal, aiming to transform Europe into the first climate-neutral continent. In Portugal, the 2021-2030 National Energy and Climate Plan, aligned with European Union guidelines, aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. In this context, goals and objectives have been set, with a focus on expanding photovoltaic energy through the implementation of new solar plants. Despite broad political support for solar electricity generation in Portugal, proposals for the construction of large photovoltaic plants have sparked controversy and increasing opposition from local stakeholders and environmental associations.

This project aims to identify and characterize sociotechnical imaginaries and the positions of various stakeholders regarding the implementation of mega photovoltaic plants designed to promote green energy transition, enhancing the production and use of renewable energies in Portugal. Given the regional significance, the sociotechnical imaginaries of two case studies in different regions of the country will be analyzed and compared: the Barcos Photovoltaic Solar Park in Coimbra (central Portugal) and the Fernando Pessoa Photovoltaic Solar Park in Santiago do Cacém (Alentejo).