Portugal's Council of Ministers approved legislative improvements that clear the way for the government to auction off 1,350 MW of solar capacity in summer 2019, according to pv magazine.

The development comes as the Portuguese government expects to attract up to €6 billion in solar investments by 2030 to help achieve its goal of producing 80% of energy from renewable sources by 2030, the publication reported, citing Portugal's Minister of Environment and Energy Transition João Pedro Matos Fernandes. Portugal also has a goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.

Through the auctions, the government plans to offer feed-in premium tariffs to large-scale projects and a fixed tariff to small-scale projects, primarily in the municipalities of Portalegre, Estremoz and Castelo Branco, according to the report. The planned solar auctions represent a decrease from the previously announced plan of 1,750 MW.

Portugal had an installed photovoltaic capacity of 670 MW as of Dec. 31, 2018, according to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency.