The Government is examining measures to mitigate rising energy prices, with Portugal “approaching the criteria” required to declare an energy crisis, the Environment Minister said on Friday, 20th March.
“We are getting close to the criteria under which we can declare an energy crisis,” Maria da Graça Carvalho told journalists in Lisbon, noting that the government is “analysing and quantifying” a range of support measures.
According to the minister, these decisions are being prepared in coordination with several ministries, with the aim of “protecting households, consumers and businesses”.
“The criteria are very clearly defined,” she said, adding that they follow a European directive, Directive (EU) 2024/171, which applies, for example, when price increases reach 70%.
Once that threshold is met, “a resolution of the Council of Ministers must be adopted and the European Commission informed”, she explained, stressing that a decision at European level is also required.
Earlier this week, on Thursday, the Government approved legislation allowing electricity prices for households and businesses to be capped in the event of an energy crisis, although the Minister for the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, said such a scenario remained some way off.
Source: LUSA
