The Minister of Environment and Energy ordered the carrying out of a technical, economic and regulatory study on the adaptation of the National Electric System to climate change, according to a note sent to newsrooms.
“The study, to be contracted by the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) and which should be completed within a maximum period of six months, will focus on identifying critical areas with greater exposure to rural fires or extreme meteorological phenomena and evaluating, comparatively, technical solutions that best suit these areas – such as structural reinforcement of overhead lines; total or partial burial; hybrid solutions and resilience strengthening technologies –, also evaluating the cost-benefit of each solution and impacts on service continuity and tariffs”explains the statement.
“The study must also present an estimate of the necessary investments, a proposal for methodological adaptation of the planning instruments (to be included in the next cycles of the Development and Investment Plan for the National Transport Network and the Development and Investment Plan for the National Distribution Network), as well as a phased implementation plan, with definition of priorities, indicative schedule and sources of financing”adds the ministry led by Maria da Graça Carvalho.
The ministry recalls that the “European Commission recently reinforced financing and regulatory simplification for investments in resilient and intelligent infrastructures through the recent Grids Package”, so “Portugal will be able to attract European investment for the necessary transformation of its network”.
The urgency in reassessing planning criteria, particularly regarding the structural robustness of infrastructures, the selectivity of burying lines in critical areas and the incorporation of resilience metrics in decision-making processes was demonstrated by the effects of storm Kristin, which caused significant disruptions to the National Electric System.
Maria da Graça Carvalho says, cited in the note, that the planning and development of electrical networks “must guarantee safety, reliability and quality of service” and that “we are obliged to adapt the electrical system to the demands of the present and the needs of the future to avoid service disruptions and ensure security of supply”.
The government has already completed the review of the National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (ENAAC 2030) which, after being in public consultation, will follow the legislative approval process, “which represents an advance in the way we must deal with the impacts of climate change, including in terms of energy infrastructure”, highlights the statement.
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