Luncheon with the Minister for Environment and Energy

Prof. Dr. Maria da Graça Carvalho

November 3, 2025 | Hotel Dom Pedro Lisboa

Sponsor: EDP

AmCham Portugal hosted the Minister for Environment and Energy, Prof. Dr. Maria da Graça Carvalho, for a lunch-debate dedicated to the future of energy, environment and sustainability in Portugal.

In her address, the Minister presented the Government’s strategy for the energy sector, centred on three main pillars:

Energy Security:

• The Minister highlighted the ongoing work to strengthen electricity networks and storage capacity, as well as the creation of new grid connection zones (in Sines, Abrantes and the Central Coast), to ensure greater stability and efficiency.

Competitiveness:

• The gradual phase-out of guaranteed tariffs will allow the electricity system to gain greater flexibility and sustainability, opening the way for new investments and lower electricity prices.
• It was also underlined that the tariff debt is expected to be eliminated soon, which will provide budgetary and regulatory room to support investment without increasing costs for consumers or companies.
• “Every year we will have a set of guaranteed tariffs that disappear, which gives us greater investment capacity and allows us to lower the cost of energy.”

Decarbonisation and Simplification:

• Among the measures announced, the implementation of the Single Licensing Desk for environmental and energy permits and the creation of a ‘green map’ identifying areas of lower environmental sensitivity were highlighted, simplifying and accelerating the approval of new projects.
• “The Administration cannot be afraid to decide. Simplification is the key to solving investment challenges.”
• The Minister also argued that decarbonisation policy must go hand in hand with support for the most vulnerable families, maintaining energy efficiency programmes and initiatives to combat climate change.

The Government is equally focused on the efficient management of water resources, with priority given to water reuse, combating losses and developing new supply sources, supported by more than €340 million through the Sustainable Operational Programme.

The Minister also underlined the excellent bilateral relationship between Portugal and the United States, noting that the US is the second largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (40% of the total), the fourth largest customer of Portugal and the eighth largest foreign investor.

AmCham Portugal thanks Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho, EDP for supporting the event, and all participants for their presence at an essential debate on Portugal’s energy and sustainable future.