Strengthening Energy Connections for Future Stability
Maria da Graça Carvalho, Portugal's Minister of Environment and Energy, has confirmed that the project for electrical connectivity between Morocco and Portugal is a significant topic under discussion, similar to the existing project with Spain. During the recent ministerial meeting on the energy connectivity program for Southwestern Europe, held in Paris, Carvalho stated that Lisbon is preparing to welcome Moroccan officials in the upcoming days to explore the feasibility of establishing a future electrical link with Morocco. She emphasized that "Portugal must conduct an analysis of the benefits and costs of electrical connectivity with Morocco." This initiative arises amid concerns over last year’s complete power outage in Portugal, which highlighted the crucial need for reliable energy sources.
Addressing Past Challenges and Future Solutions
In response to inquiries about the nationwide blackout experienced in the previous year, Carvalho explained that while electrical connectivity does not entirely prevent outages, it significantly aids in the swift restoration of energy systems. She noted that "Portugal is currently only electrically connected to Spain, and since the blackout was caused by an issue in Spain, Portugal had to wait for the Spanish network to recover before it could receive assistance through the interconnection." Carvalho remarked that had Spain possessed a stronger connection to France, the restoration process could have been expedited, allowing for quicker support to Portugal.
Portugal has upgraded its capabilities, now boasting four power stations capable of independent self-starting, known as the "Black Start" system, compared to just two in the past. The country managed to restore electricity within approximately 11 to 12 hours during last year’s outage, which is considered a commendable response given the scale of the incident. Both Lisbon and Madrid have called for an enhancement of the European budget allocated for energy and have urged a focus on electrical interconnections with France, noting that the current link between the Iberian Peninsula and the European market is only 3.1%. Carvalho highlighted the challenges faced by Portugal in managing its national electricity system.
Regarding the connection with France, Carvalho acknowledged the financial burden of such projects but affirmed that their realization is possible with political follow-up and dialogue with the public. Portugal and Spain have formally requested that the European Commission, the European Parliament, and member states prioritize energy investments in the upcoming multiannual budget of the EU. In a letter addressed to the European Commission last May, the Portuguese and Spanish governments underscored the urgency of accelerating electrical connectivity projects among Lisbon, Madrid, and Paris, advocating for a meeting among the three governments to establish a clear roadmap in this regard.
The correspondence to the European Commissioner for Energy and Housing reiterated that completing the electrical interconnection with the Iberian Peninsula is no longer a choice but a shared responsibility for the future of energy in Europe. It emphasized the necessity for strong political and financial commitment at all levels to ensure the rapid and effective integration of the Iberian Peninsula into the EU energy system, which would lead to significant advancements in connectivity and substantial investments in Europe’s energy infrastructure.
As reported by hespress.com.
