Maria da Graça Carvalho, Minister for Environment and Energy, has warned that restoring damaged energy infrastructure worldwide could take several years, continuing to put pressure on international markets.

As reported by Renacença, the minister said the destruction of refineries across several regions, including the Middle East, Ukraine, and Russia, remains a significant obstacle to lowering energy costs.

She stressed that the recent drop in fuel prices, particularly the sharp reduction recorded on Monday, 9 November, should not be mistaken for a lasting return to cheaper rates.

Energy suppliers

The minister believes Portugal has been relatively successful in avoiding the worst effects of recent disruptions to electricity and fuel supplies, largely thanks to its diverse energy partners.

Among the country’s main suppliers are Brazil, the United States, Nigeria and Algeria, which have helped maintain more stable supplies than some other European nations, particularly those more exposed to disruptions in specific regions.

She pointed to Italy as an example of a country that has experienced particularly significant energy price increases because of its reliance on Qatar.

Nevertheless, Portugal has not escaped rising costs, as international markets shape energy prices, meaning domestic consumers remain affected by global developments even when the country has secure supply arrangements.

The minister argues that reinforcing national energy independence is essential to reducing Portugal’s vulnerability to geopolitical tensions and future supply disruptions.

Reduction plans

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference on Monday, 16 November, Portugal will also present its plan to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels in its contribution to COP31, and the Government intends to provide further details on its national roadmap for reducing the use of oil and natural gas.

Portugal’s target is to cut fossil fuel consumption by 50 percent by 2034, as the conference in Turkey is expected to offer an opportunity to explain how it will achieve this ambition.

The strategy focuses on three main areas: transport, buildings and industry, with the ultimate objective of replacing fossil fuel consumption with cleaner electricity and renewable energy wherever possible.

In transport, this means continuing to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, alongside investment in public transport infrastructure, including metro systems, railways and electric buses.

For buildings, the focus will be on improving energy efficiency through better equipment and household appliances that consume less electricity.

Sector decarbonisation

Certain industries will face more complications moving away from fossil fuels.

For example, glass and ceramics manufacturing remains heavily dependent on natural gas, making the transition to cleaner alternatives both technically challenging and expensive.

The Government plans to introduce funding mechanisms to help these businesses adopt less polluting energy sources, with support also reflected in measures outlined under the 2027 State Budget.

Renewable alternatives will play an important role, particularly in sectors where direct electrification is difficult, including biomethane, hydrogen and advanced biofuels.

Meanwhile, aviation and maritime transport are two examples where alternative fuels will be necessary, as the energy requirements of aircraft and ships make a complete switch to electricity considerably more challenging than in road transport.

The minister emphasised that the transition must also take account of everyday needs, ensuring households and businesses can continue to access the energy required for transport, cooking and heating.

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