In 2023, Portugal recorded the highest percentage of energy poverty among the European Union (EU) Member States, reaching 20.8%, a figure similar to that of Spain.
Energy poverty refers to the difficulty individuals or families face in accessing essential energy services such as heating, cooling, lighting, and electricity. Unfortunately, in Portugal, this reality affects thousands of families. This situation arises from a combination of factors, including the rising costs of electricity and gas, the energy inefficiency of many homes, and insufficient household incomes to cover basic energy needs.
Portugal’s strategy to combat energy poverty
In response to this issue, Portugal has approved the “National Long-Term Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty 2023-2050″ (ELPPE). This strategy takes a comprehensive approach to energy poverty, addressing issues such as the inability to keep homes warm in winter, difficulties in maintaining cool indoor temperatures in summer, and the overall lack of access to essential energy services.
The ELPPE sets specific targets to reduce the percentage of the population facing difficulties related to thermal comfort and housing quality:
🔹 Winter Heating: Reduce the population unable to keep their homes adequately heated from 17.5% in 2020 to less than 1% by 2050, with intermediate targets of 10% by 2030 and 5% by 2040.
🔹 Summer Comfort: Decrease the percentage of people living in homes that are uncomfortably hot in summer from 35.7% in 2012 to less than 5% by 2050, with goals of 20% by 2030 and 10% by 2040.
🔹 Housing Conditions: Reduce the population living in homes with leaks, dampness, or deteriorated structures from 25.2% in 2020 to less than 5% by 2050, with targets of 20% by 2030 and 10% by 2040.
Additionally, the strategy aims to eliminate situations where energy expenses exceed 10% of total household income, promote energy and environmental sustainability, ensure universal access to essential energy services, encourage integrated territorial actions, and enhance energy literacy among the population.
European Directive reinforces energy f~efficiency targets
At the European level, Directive (EU) 2023/1791, which came into force on October 10, 2023, establishes binding targets to increase energy efficiency within the EU. This directive requires Member States to collectively ensure an additional 11.7% reduction in energy consumption by 2030, compared to 2020 projections. This equates to a 40.5% reduction in primary energy consumption and a 38% reduction in final energy consumption, compared to the 2007 reference scenario.
Challenges and Opportunities for Portugal
Portugal faces the challenge of reducing its energy dependence on foreign sources, which stood at 71.2% in 2022, marking a 4.1 percentage point increase from 2021. However, the country has made progress in integrating renewable energy, with a 34.7% share of gross final energy consumption in 2022, surpassing the target set for that year.
The effective implementation of national and European energy efficiency policies is crucial to combating energy poverty in Portugal. Investments in building energy retrofitting, the promotion of renewable energy sources, and raising public awareness of efficient consumption practices are essential steps toward ensuring universal access to energy services and fostering a just and inclusive energy transition.
