Latest news and stories about utility costs in Portugal for expats and residents.
The regulator rejected REN's 472 million euro plan for 2026-2035. Pedro Verdelho advocates for reasonableness criteria to protect families and businesses.
The president of the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) stated in parliament this Tuesday that the regulator proposes postponing the value of REN's investments in the natural gas network “to bring realism to the investment plan”. “ERSE's proposal makes sense to bring realism to the plan. There is an amount that we understand can...”
Since the blackout on 28 April 2025, costs associated with system services imposed by grid operators have soared. In a letter sent to the governments of Portugal and Spain, retailers state that these costs are impacting consumer bills.
Natural gas consumption in Portugal increased by 11.1% to 45.0 TWh in 2025 compared to 2024, yet remained 20% below the five-year average, according to the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE). The growth was driven by a 92.7% surge in the electricity market, largely due to the use of gas-fired power plants following an April 2025 blackout, while industrial and distribution sectors saw declines. Meanwhile, the average price on the Iberian Gas Market (Mibgas) fell by 32% to €29.75/MWh, and Portugal ended the year with gas storage levels at 93.5% of capacity.
