"Telecommunications need to be considered critical infrastructure, as they in fact are"
With suspicions of sabotage of submarine communications cables or accusations of cyberattacks on infrastructure, the current geopolitical moment puts telecommunications and connectivity in the spotlight, at a time when Europe's security must be ensured. “Hospitals, power grids, transport infrastructure, supply chains, financial markets and also the systems ...”
Government secures €25m and EU plan against blackouts
The Energy Minister said the government has allocated €25 million to reinforce critical infrastructure and prepare for a potential future blackout, while Brussels has approved an 'anti-blackout' plan to strengthen resilience. Coverage says the funding aims at bolstering grids and critical sites and follows talks with major energy firms. Businesses and residents concerned about power reliability should track planned works and local notices that may cause temporary outages.
- 2026: Minister of Environment and Energy
- Party: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Partido Social Democrata
- Politician, mechanical engineer, academic
Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Energy Minister, is a Portuguese engineer and politician affiliated with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) who has served as a Member of the European Parliament and held government roles connected to science and higher education policy. Her work on research and EU policy can affect funding and regulation that matter to professionals and students living in Portugal.
The anti‑blackout plan (Portuguese: plano antiapagões) is a government contingency strategy to reduce the risk of widespread power outages by coordinating grid operators, protecting critical services, managing reserves and, if needed, implementing targeted measures. For households and businesses it means the government and utilities aim to avoid uncontrolled outages, but you should still follow supplier notices and emergency guidance during peak demand or extreme weather periods.
Energy: Portugal launches tender to ensure hospitals can operate independently during power outages
Portugal has already received the green light from the European Commission and will launch by April the first tender for so-called “critical infrastructure resilience” covering hospitals, airports and telecommunications-related buildings. The aim is to prepare essential services to continue operating even in emergency situations, such as major failures in the power supply.
Hacking space: Europe ramps up security of satellites
Space systems are increasingly targeted with cyberattacks, as the global hybrid warfare rages.