The National Energy and Climate Plan (PNEC 2030) revision, published by Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 53/2020 of 10 July, is the main energy and climate policy instrument for the period 2021-2030, and is framed within the long-term national carbon neutrality objectives set out in the Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality 2050 (RNC 2050, Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 107/2019 of 1 July), a commitment made by Portugal under the Paris Agreement. The RNC 2050 identifies electrification as one of the main drivers for the decarbonisation of the energy sector.
In the context of the European strategy for the Energy Union, the PNEC fulfils the obligations set out in the Regulation on Governance and the Energy Union and Climate Action (Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018), taking into account the 5 dimensions of the Energy Union:
On 30 June 2023, Portugal submitted the draft update/revision of the PNEC 2030 to the European Commission, with new targets and new measures to be adopted. The final version should be submitted by 30 June 2024.
The main energy and climate targets contained in the current PNEC 2030 are systematised below, as well as in its proposed revision.
| PNEC 2030 | PNEC 2030 review* | |
|---|---|---|
| Greenhouse gas emissions (compared to 2025) | -45% a -55% | -55% |
| Energy efficiency | 35% (a) | 16711 ktep (b) |
| Renewables in gross final consumption | 47% | 51% |
| RES share of electricity | 80% | 93%(c) |
| RES share in Heating and Cooling | 38% | 63% |
| RES share in Transport | 20% | 29% |
| Electricity interconnections | 15% | 15% |
*Final revision of the plan (public consultation version, July 2024)
(a)35% reduction in primary energy consumption by 2030 (based on projections from the European Commission’s PRIMES model made for the base year 2007)
(b) Primary energy consumption; 14371 ktoe in final energy consumption
(c) not considering electricity consumption for hydrogen production
In addition, although they are not the subject of a legislative act, it is worth mentioning the Network Development and Investment Plans (PDIR), which are fundamental to the achievement of the national targets and for the security of energy supply.
With regard to the Electricity Transmission Network Development and Investment Plan (PDIRT-E), developed for a 10-year period, the PDIRT-E 2021 is currently in force for the 2022-2031 period, under the responsibility of the transmission system operator (TSO), Redes Energéticas Nacionais, S.A. (REN). As for the Electricity Distribution Network Development and Investment Plan (PDIRD-E), developed for a 5-year period, the PDIRD-E 2022 is in force for the period 2023-2025, under the responsibility of the distribution system operator (DSO), E-REDES – Distribuição de Eletricidade, S.A.
In the context of security of supply, it is also worth highlighting the Security of Supply Monitoring Report (RMSA), which is an instrument under the responsibility of the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) that seeks to assess the system’s needs from a medium-long term perspective, as set out in article 247 of Decree-Law 15/2022 of 14 January. The National Electricity System Security of Supply Monitoring Report for the 2024-2040 period (RMSA-E 2023) can be consulted here.
Decree-Law 15/2022 of 14 January also stands out as a key piece of legislation for the sector, establishing the organisation and operation of the National Electricity System (SEN), transposing Directive (EU) 2019/944 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on common rules for the internal market in electricity and, partially, Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. The aim of this new legal framework is to promote a paradigm shift in the National Electricity System, evolving from a system based on centralised production to a decentralised model that includes local production, self-consumption solutions, active management of smart grids and ensures the active participation of consumers in the markets.
Sources for researching energy sector legislation
