What is the energy storage capacity in Portugal?

Energy storage installed capacity in Portugal is still predominantly based on hydropower pumping, which is today over 3 GW, and will increase to 4,164 GW when the Alto- Tâmega dam is completed this year. However, this paradigm is about to shift with the democratization of energy storage solutions with wind and solar production.

Why is storage important for the energy transition in Portugal?

With 21 318 GWh of electricity generated in Portugal between January and June 2022 - 57% of which of renewable origin - storage will be decisive for the much-desired energy transition for two major reasons. On one hand, storage will offset the intermittent generation of renewable energy.

How to build a storage facility in Portugal?

The first step in the construction of a new storage facility is to secure the proper use or rights over the land where the installation is to be developed. Under Portuguese law, various options are available to do this. The four most common ways to secure plots of land are: Operating lease (cessão de exploração), in case of common land.

What is Portugal's Energy and Climate Plan?

On 10 July 2020, the Portuguese Government approved the National Energy and Climate Plan through Council Ministers Resolution no. 53/2020. The plan will shape Portugal’s energy and climate policy from 2021-2030 and sets the long-term objective of decarbonizing the economy by the end of 2050.

Why is renewable capacity important in Portugal?

Now that Portugal is increasingly decommissioning fossil fuel plants, the need to ramp-up the growth and expansion of renewable installed capacity is being brought into sharper focus. Similarly, the need to invest in suitable alternatives and instruments to optimize renewable capacity is also becoming increasingly important.

What is the new legal framework for energy storage?

In order to attract further investment and speed-up implementation, the new legal framework, which was published in the beginning 2022, provides a framework for standalone energy storage, subject to the previous control procedure, and to be owned by third parties who are separate from the power plant developers.