The “National Atlas of Sustainable Green H2” is a tool based on georeferenced information that follows defined criteria in the development of scenarios to assess the suitability of the location of green hydrogen production projects with regard to: (i) necessary resources to power hydrogen production plants through water electrolysis; (ii) land use conditions for the implementation of green hydrogen production units, and (iii) factors that enhance the commercialization of the produced hydrogen. Based on this “National Atlas of Sustainable Green H2” tool, we present 4 maps referring to 4 scenarios that identify the “best” areas for green hydrogen production according to the basic rationale of each scenario. The 4 maps represent the following scenarios: scenario A “Diversified”, scenario B “Drought, Gas Grid and Transport”; scenario C “Drought and gas consumers”; scenario D “Prospective”. Each scenario was developed based on 3 sub-indices (i) proximity to water sources, (ii) proximity to energy sources and (iii) ease of commercializing green H2 on the market. The water sub-index consists of a maximum of 7 indicators considering the proximity to the following potential water sources: surface water bodies, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), public water network, groundwater, seawater, multi-purpose irrigation grid, water scarcity index. The energy sub-index consists of a maximum of 6 indicators, namely: solar resource, onshore wind resource, offshore wind resource, proximity to bioelectricity producers, proximity to hydropower producers, proximity to the power grid. Finally, the market sub-index is made up of a maximum of 5 indicators, including proximity to: potential industry consumers of H2, potential transport consumers of H2, potential consumers of H2 as raw material, large CO2 emitters. Each final map excludes from potential project locations land occupation that proves to be inappropriate. The following are not yet considered: easements and public utility restrictions, RAN and REN areas, Territorial Planning Plans, municipality land planning (PDM), SEVESO Directive hazardous zones, protected areas under the Water Framework Directive , seismicity, flood risk and/or geologically unstable areas (erosion, landslides, etc.). This Atlas requires a detailed analysis of sites considering all applicable legislation. The geographic information used has inherent limitations regarding date, scale, resolution and sources. Furthermore, the viability assessment for a specific project requires detailed information that goes beyond the variables contained in this Atlas and considers other decision-making and legal compliance factors, which cannot be considered at this scale.

This product was developed by LNEG with a view to the future identification of “Renewable Acceleration Areas” for the deployment of renewable electricity production plants in Mainland Portugal. The work took place within the scope of an informal Working Group, coordinated by LNEG and involving: the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the General Directorate of Energy and Geology (DGEG), the General Directorate of Territory (DGT), the Institute of Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) and the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage (DGPC). The map identifies the areas in m2 of mainland Portugal with the least sensitivity (environmental, cultural heritage and other) which as such may be considered in the definition of future renewable "Acceleration Areas" within the framework of the revised RED Directive (Renewable Energy Directive. As these areas are not covered by exclusion conditions regarding the preservation of environmental and heritage values (among other), a simplified permitting process for renewable power production plants (solar photovoltaic and wind) could be established, thus allowing to accelerate its implementation without compromising other environmental and territorial values. The mapped areas are preferred areas from the point of view of simplifying the permitting process, but they are not exclusive. In other words, renewable power plants can be implemented in other locations following the normal permitting process. It should be noted that the presented results reflect the situation as of June 2023, and much of the information used is dynamic in nature, meaning this product must be periodically updated. This document is complemented with several electronic Geographic Information System (GIS) files containing the supporting data produced/compiled and collected. Last but not least, this first mapping focuses exclusively on non-artificialized areas. Although the implementation of renewables in a distributed manner in a built/artificialized environment is essential for the country, the analysis of this scope is carried out in another work.