Carvalho stated that Portugal is in a position to proactively address potential price hikes without requiring new legislation or approvals from Brussels. “As soon as there are increases in gas prices, which are very important for the industry and for sectors that are very important in Portugal – such as glass, ceramics, and part of the textile sector that also uses gas – if there is a large increase, the Government will have measures to accompany it and to help the industrial sectors,” she said. The government is monitoring prices daily and has a set of measures ready to implement if necessary.
The government is prepared to act to help consumers and businesses with gas prices, similar to its existing support for fuel costs, including assistance with bottled gas. “It’s very simple to implement: if the value continues to increase and is an unbearable value – and We see the most vulnerable people who use bottled gas – we could already pay €15 per bottle, increase it to €20 per bottle,” Carvalho explained.
While gas prices have not yet reached a critical level, Carvalho affirmed that Portugal is prepared. The country has already developed legislation during the 2022 energy crisis, providing a framework for potential interventions.
Carvalho emphasized the importance of a unified European response, stating, “We have a route traced for 2030 and 2040 and we want to maintain that route and react with punctual, temporary measures. But we do not change the legislation and we do not change our path.” The EU’s commitment to decarbonization and renewable energy remains firm.
Discussions among the 27 EU member states are focused on coordinating responses to price increases without altering the long-term energy transition strategy. The goal is to avoid a fragmented approach with differing solutions across member states. European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jorgensen, echoed this sentiment, stating that a return to reliance on Russian energy would be a mistake, as it would once again enable Russia to weaponize energy supplies.
Carvalho noted a growing acceptance that Portugal’s path towards energy independence is favorable, as the country has diversified its energy sources and reduced its reliance on fossil fuels. While the transportation sector remains a concern, particularly diesel and jet fuel, electricity production is less dependent on gas. Portugal has diversified its supply routes and reduced its gas imports compared to 2022.
“We didn’t do this perform to be good students or well-behaved. We did it because it’s what needs to be done,” Carvalho said. Some countries have suggested reopening dialogue with Russia regarding energy supplies, with Belgium being the latest to propose this possibility. However, Jorgensen firmly rejected this idea, stating, “We, in Europe, cannot help finance directly the brutal and illegal war of Russia.”
The discussions approach as global energy markets remain volatile, and European nations seek to balance short-term price pressures with long-term climate goals. The Portuguese government’s proactive approach and emphasis on energy diversification highlight a broader trend among EU members to enhance energy security and reduce dependence on external suppliers.
