Average electricity prices paid by households in Portugal's liberalised energy market have stayed above regulated tariffs since mid-2023, according to the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos or ERSE). The price gap between the two markets widened to its highest point in the third quarter of 2024 before narrowing throughout 2025. ERSE monitors consumer tariffs across both systems as households retain the legal right to switch back to regulated supply contracts.
Free Market Electricity Prices Surpass Regulated Rates Since 2023
Wednesday, 28 October 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Energy Services Regulatory Authority (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos or ERSE) is Portugal’s regulator for electricity, gas and fuel markets, responsible for licensing, tariffs and consumer protection. ERSE handles consumer complaints (it received about 80 complaints in the recent Galp case), can investigate billing disputes and impose sanctions, so it’s the authority to contact for unresolved energy issues.
