Finance: Energy policy news in Portugal

Energy Minister sees US-Iran deal as “very good news” to lower fuel prices and “slowly” reduce subsidies

The Government views the agreement between the United States and Iran as “very good news” and expects it to “lower fuel prices in general” and remove the risk of supply shortages, stated the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, this Monday. US President Donald Trump announced on...

Portugal triggers clause to exclude energy from rules

The European Commission will allow energy-related expenses to be excluded from European budgetary rules. Portugal will request the activation of the safeguard clause.

About 37% of energy cost support measures are temporary and targeted

Among the measures announced by countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with a direct budgetary impact, about 37% are both temporary and targeted, a percentage slightly higher than that recorded during the comparable period of the 2022-2023 energy crisis, according to a survey by the institution. The data are included in...

Government to have 'superior public interest' mechanism to accelerate renewables

Financial compensation mechanisms and new medium-term contracts aim to mitigate market volatility, shielding consumers and ensuring stable revenues for investors.

European Christian organisations want a permanent tax on fossil fuel profits

The demands are part of an urgent and unprecedented appeal to EU institutions made by organisations from 20 EU countries, titled 'Europe, be faithful to our common home'.

Business News - Portugal: Climate commissioner understands energy windfall profit discomfort

Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies13 May

Climate Commissioner understands discomfort with “exorbitant profits” of energy companies

The European Commissioner for Climate, Wopke Hoekstra, visiting Lisbon, acknowledged public discomfort regarding the “exorbitant profits” of energy firms but reaffirmed that implementing windfall taxes should remain a national government decision rather than a Brussels-led initiative. Hoekstra emphasized that while the European Commission is reviewing a request from five member states to address these profits, legal and coordination challenges make national-level implementation more viable. He also stressed that Europe must reduce its energy dependency by increasing domestic production through solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear investments to ensure national and European security.

Oil-dependent

In recent years, there has been progress and political will to rely less on fossil fuels. But these advances have not saved us from this crisis. The world is still oil-dependent. Editorial by Marta Moitinho Oliveira

Is Hormuz a crisis? Or is it just another diagnosis?

The conflict surrounding Iran and the risk of the Strait of Hormuz closing should be viewed not only as an immediate geopolitical and geostrategic problem, but also as a stark red flag regarding global dependence on fossil fuels. The author argues that instead of panicking over potential oil shortages, the world should use this shock to accelerate the transition to an economy based on sustainable energy, including nuclear and renewables. The piece highlights the limitations of current renewable energy, the dangers of fossil fuel reliance, and the political hesitation to embrace a necessary economic shift, suggesting that the current crisis could serve as a wake-up call for a more sustainable future.

‘We are not going back’: Iran war forces global energy shift

Nations split over doubling down on fossil fuels or accelerating renewables.

POLITICO Europe18 Apr

Subsidising energy dependence

There is plenty of talk about security, resilience, and defence. Actions only demonstrate that the priority is to subsidise energy dependence. Opinion by Susana Peralta.

Environmentalists call for tax on oil company profits

Organisations such as ZERO warn that oil companies have already accumulated 1.3 billion in the first weeks of the crisis. A letter was sent to Von der Leyen and five European commissioners.

Non-governmental organisations advocate for new tax on oil companies

Around 30 non-governmental organisations today asked the European Commission to implement a tax on the windfall profits of oil companies.

Non-governmental organisations advocate for new tax on oil companies

Around 30 non-governmental organisations today asked the European Commission to implement a tax on the windfall profits of oil companies.

Either consumers switch to electric vehicles or they adopt rationing measures

Market analyst Pedro Lino considers that “the absence of attacks following the negotiations was positive” for the price of oil

In times of war, accelerate – do not brake – sustainability

Whenever the world faces turmoil, a recurring argument emerges: that sustainability and ESG goals should be paused due to costs and complexity. This article argues that this is a fundamental error. Sustainability is not a luxury for prosperous times, but a condition for economic, energy, and geopolitical resilience. The author highlights that energy security and decarbonisation are inseparable, citing the European Central Bank's Frank Elderson, and notes that while the West debates delaying ESG, China is integrating it into its industrial policy. Ultimately, the piece contends that retreating from sustainability in the face of crisis only increases vulnerability and undermines long-term competitiveness.

European Commission calls for fuel-saving measures

Home News European Commission calls for fuel-saving measures European Commission calls for fuel-saving measures In response to instability in global energy markets and geopolitical tensions, the European Commission urges Member States to adopt measures to reduce fuel consumption.

Iran: EIB President considers maintaining financial stability "indispensable"

The President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Nadia Calviño, stated it is “indispensable” for European Union countries to maintain financial stability in the current “uncertain” international context. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference in Madrid, Calviño addressed the importance of fiscal discipline amidst the economic pressures caused by the conflict in Iran. She emphasized the need for coordinated action among EU member states to ensure economic policy responses are effective. Furthermore, Calviño highlighted the urgency of strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy in energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, noting that the EIB will continue to play a key role in financing energy infrastructure. She also rejected the notion that Europe is a declining power, describing it instead as an economic, democratic, and technological superpower, while calling for calm regarding US trade tariffs.

Taxing energy companies is the Groundhog Day of fiscal policy

In the midst of an energy crisis, with oil prices reacting to instability in the Middle East, Portugal has signed a joint letter with Spain, Germany, Italy, and Austria asking the European Commission for a new tax on energy company profits. The letter, dated April 3rd and addressed to Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, requests...

International Energy Agency predicts acceleration of renewable energy

The energy crisis, a result of the conflict in Iran, is pointed to as the main reason.

Non-renewable energy

It is necessary to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Brussels analyses Portuguese request for windfall tax on energy companies

The request was made in a joint letter signed by Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, the federal finance ministers of Austria and Germany, the Italian Minister of Economy and Finance, and the Spanish Minister of Economy, Trade and Business.

Boost biomethane investment, urges association in face of energy crisis

Portugal needs to speed up the development of regulatory and market conditions to attract investment in biomethane, against a backdrop of European energy vulnerability exacerbated by the conflict in the The post Boost biomethane investment, urges association in face of energy crisis appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Once again, the Portuguese government is waiting for Brussels to solve its problems

CNN Portugal commentator Francisco Rodrigues dos Santos considers the letter sent by Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, and Germany to the European Commission, requesting the taxation of extraordinary profits of energy companies due to the sector's crisis, to be “pertinent.”

After all, when will we eliminate fossil fuel subsidies?

From direct payments to tax benefits or price support, environmentally harmful subsidies have the side effect of encouraging excessive resource consumption or pollution.

10:00 AM EU finance ministers call for tax on excess corporate profits

European Union finance ministers are advocating for a levy on the windfall profits of energy companies.

Renewables show 15.5% global growth in 2025

Total renewable energy capacity reached 5,149 gigawatts (GW) in 2025, following an addition of 692 GW—a 15.5% annual increase—according to the 'Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026' report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The report highlights that renewables accounted for 85.6% of net capacity expansion, confirming their dominance over non-renewable sources in new installations. Solar energy led the growth with 511 GW, followed by wind with 159 GW. IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera noted that renewables provide energy resilience in uncertain times. The report also points to significant regional disparities, with Asia accounting for 74.2% of new capacity, while Central America and the Caribbean remain the regions with the lowest capacity.