Portugal’s gas transport and storage infrastructure is adequate for the size of the national market, although no European country has enough reserves to last several years without imports, according to the national electricity and gas network operator Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN).
In a written response to questions from the Lusa news agency, REN said the Portuguese gas system has transport and storage capacity suited to the country’s demand, including the redundancies required by national and European legislation.
According to the National Energy Sector Entity (ENSE), Portugal currently has gas reserves equivalent to around 93 days of consumption in the event of a disruption to supply.
REN also noted that Portuguese gas imports are not directly exposed to the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic shipping route through which around 20% of the world’s oil and a significant portion of liquefied natural gas pass. Tensions in the region have risen after Iran declared control over the strait, placing global energy markets on alert.
Even so, REN stressed that no country in Europe has sufficient reserves to cover a multi-year period without imports, highlighting the continent’s continued dependence on external suppliers.
When asked about contingency measures in the event of a sudden rise in demand or a temporary supply interruption, the operator said authorities have crisis response mechanisms in place.
“Authorities have response plans for different levels of crisis, including contingency and national emergency plans,” the company said.
Data from Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) shows that Portugal’s gas storage facilities are currently 76.72% full, significantly above the European average of 29.40% at this point in the year, following the winter period when consumption is typically highest.
However, in absolute terms, Portugal has one of the lowest storage capacities in the European Union, meaning that its storage sites tend to appear close to maximum levels when measured as a percentage.
Plans to expand the country’s gas storage capacity were announced in 2022 during the energy crisis triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the time, then secretary of state for energy João Galamba proposed the creation of a national strategic gas reserve and the expansion of storage at the Carriço Underground Gas Storage complex in Pombal.
The project includes the construction of two new underground storage caverns, adding more than 1.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) of additional capacity at an estimated cost of €90 million.
According to the Gas Network Development and Investment Plan for 2026-2035, the new infrastructure could begin operating between 2027 and 2028, although the timeline depends on final investment decisions, licensing procedures and approval by the state.
Asked about the status of the project, REN said the 2027-2028 timetable remains indicative, as the final decision ultimately rests with the granting authority – the Portuguese government.
Despite tensions in global energy markets, Portugal’s natural gas supply is currently diversified. Data from the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology shows that the country imported most of its gas in 2024 from Nigeria (51%) and the United States (40%), while purchases from Qatar ended more than three years ago.
Source: LUSA
