Madeira approves new legal framework for renewable energy self-consumption

The Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of Madeira has approved Regional Legislative Decree No. 9/2026/M, which establishes the new legal framework applicable to renewable energy self-consumption in the Region, adapting the national legal framework (Decree-Law No. 15/2022) to the island and outermost reality.

This diploma revokes the previous Regional Legislative Decree No. 1/2021/M and aims to promote the energy transition, with ambitious goals of reaching more than 55% of electricity production from renewable sources by 2030. The main points of the new regime include:

• Control procedures: Establishes different levels of licensing and prior control (prior communication, prior registration, or production license) depending on the installed power of the production unit (UPAC).
• Collective Self-Consumption and REC: Strengthens the framework for collective self-consumption and renewable energy communities (REC), allowing energy sharing among members.
• Management and Oversight: The Regional Directorate of Energy (DREN) assumes centralized management through a new electronic portal, which will serve for submitting requests, registering UPACs, and consulting files.
• Safety and Inspection: Introduces mandatory periodic inspections (every eight years) and the need for civil liability insurance for holders of prior control titles.

The diploma enters into force the day after its publication and applies to all requests that have not yet been subject to a decision.