Latest news and stories about utilities in infrastructure in Portugal for expats and residents.
Utility provider E-REDES has announced scheduled power outages for 6 September in parts of Palmela, Mafra, and Vila Nova de Milfontes. The interruptions are necessary for maintenance work, though the company clarified that outages will likely affect specific streets rather than entire parishes.
Minister of Environment Maria da Graça Carvalho confirmed that a recent cyberattack targeting several companies within the Águas de Portugal group did not impact the public water supply. The minister stated that the breach was contained within the administrative systems of the utility provider.
The state-owned water management group Águas de Portugal confirmed it is the target of a complex cyberattack affecting its information systems and customer contact channels. The company assured the public that water supply, sanitation, and quality remain unaffected while the Judiciary Police and the National Cybersecurity Center (Centro Nacional de Cibersegurança or CNCS) investigate the breach.
The National Cybersecurity Center (Centro Nacional de Cibersegurança or CNCS) is the government agency responsible for promoting and coordinating cybersecurity across Portugal. It monitors digital threats, provides guidance to citizens and businesses on protecting data, and manages the national response to significant cyber incidents.
Several large Portuguese companies have released their first-half results for 2026, showing varied performance across sectors. While the utility company EDP and the bank Millennium BCP reported profit increases of 3% and 12.7% respectively, the retailer Jerónimo Martins and the industrial firm Corticeira Amorim saw their profits decline.
E-Redes (formerly EDP Distribuição) is the company that operates Portugal's low- and medium-voltage electricity distribution network, serving over 99% of mainland Portugal. It is a subsidiary of EDP (Energias de Portugal), the country's largest energy utility.
E-Redes is responsible for maintaining power lines, substations, and transformers; connecting new customers and solar panels to the grid; reading meters; and restoring power after outages. It operates under a concession granted by the Portuguese government and is regulated by ERSE (Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos).
During storms and extreme weather, E-Redes coordinates emergency repair crews to restore electricity supply. Residents can report outages and check restoration timelines through the E-Redes website or app. The company is also central to Portugal's energy transition, managing the integration of growing rooftop solar and electric vehicle charging into the distribution grid.
Banco Comercial Português is Portugal's largest private bank, commonly known by its brand Millennium bcp, offering retail, corporate and investment banking and listed on the Euronext Lisbon stock exchange. Its size and retail footprint mean developments at BCP can affect everyday banking services, credit availability and investor confidence in Portugal's financial markets.
The energy infrastructure company E-Redes estimates that restoring the national power grid following the recent passage of storm Kristin will cost approximately 110 million euros. The storm caused extensive damage across all voltage levels, with the central region of Portugal suffering the most significant impact.
Five months after Storm Kristin, approximately 15% of the population in Figueiró dos Vinhos remains without internet or television access. Mayor Carlos Lopes stated that telecommunications operators have cited an overwhelming workload and a lack of resources as the primary reasons for the ongoing delays in restoring services.
