Today, the governments of Portugal and Spain have formally requested the European Commission to provide a “strong political and financial commitment” to enhance interconnections between the Iberian Peninsula and the broader European Union (EU). This request comes in light of a significant blackout that occurred in April.
In a letter addressed to European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jørgensen, the Portuguese and Spanish ministries of Environment and Energy highlight the necessity of a solid commitment at all levels to accelerate the integration of the Iberian Peninsula into the EU’s energy framework. They stress that achieving this goal will require significant investments in the European electricity grid and an enhancement of interconnectivity.
The letter was delivered in Brussels by Portugal’s Environment Minister, Maria da Graça Carvalho, and includes a proposal for a ministerial meeting later this year. This meeting, which would involve France and the Commission, aims to outline a roadmap with key milestones and actionable steps to meet the EU’s energy objectives for 2030 and 2040.
Furthermore, the two countries are urging a “reinforced and urgent priority” for the development of these essential infrastructures. They point out that the blackout at the end of April underlined the immediate need to expedite electrical interconnections with the Iberian Peninsula and highlighted the critical importance of interconnectivity within the European energy system during emergencies.
On April 28, a widespread power outage left mainland Portugal, Spain, Andorra, and parts of France without electricity. The blackout resulted in airport closures, traffic congestion in major cities, and fuel shortages, underscoring the critical need for a resilient energy grid within the EU, especially given that the Iberian Peninsula currently has less than 3% connectivity with the rest of the Union.
The Portuguese government is advocating for enhancing energy interconnection with the EU to reach 15% by 2030 through the construction of additional infrastructure. Although discussions regarding strengthening energy ties between Portugal and the EU have been ongoing for several years, progress has been limited. Improving these interconnections is crucial for enhancing energy security, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, lowering costs, and supporting the transition to renewable energy sources.
Portugal operates an extensive electricity distribution network spanning nearly 235,000 kilometers, in addition to 9,400 kilometers of transmission lines, serving around 6.5 million customers across 13 operators. According to the European Commission, an estimated €584 billion is required to reform electricity networks over the coming decade, which includes funding for cross-border interconnections and adapting distribution systems to facilitate the energy transition.
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