Following the blackout that left Portugal and Spain without electricity for more than half of April 28, the Council of Ministers published Resolution No. 90-A/2025 on the same day, declaring a state of energy crisis in mainland Portugal, with the aim of ensuring the supply of energy essential to the functioning of fundamental public services and the priority needs of the population.
According to point 2 of the Resolution, the crisis situation is in force for the period between 11:30 a.m. on April 28, 2025, and 11:59 p.m. on April 29, 2025, only for mainland Portugal.
It should be noted that the definition of the concept of “energy crisis,” as well as the exceptional measures required for its adoption, is set out in Decree-Law No. 114/2001 of April 7, which therefore constitutes the enabling basis for this Resolution.
In this context, the Resolution authorizes the Minister of Environment and Energy to apply all types of measures provided for in that decree, namely to mitigate the imbalance between energy supply and demand and to optimize the distribution of available energy resources, as well as other complementary measures aimed at ensuring the effectiveness of the measures adopted, namely through extraordinary supervision and control.
These measures include, for example:
i. reducing energy demand and increasing energy supply;
ii. restricting the supply of electricity to consumers;
iii. sharing resources between operators at national level;
iv. sharing resources at international level, in compliance with decisions of bodies binding on the Portuguese State.
In addition, the Resolution also stipulates a measure to support the implementation of the measures mentioned above, which relates to the guarantee of minimum fuel levels at filling stations integrated into the Strategic Network of Filling Stations (“REPA”), created by Ordinance No. 469/2002 of April 24.
The REPA is a special network of fuel stations designed to ensure fuel supplies to entities that are defined as priority for social, economic, or security reasons. These are identified in the Resolution itself and include the armed and security forces, civil protection and emergency medical services (including hospitals and health units), essential services (i.e., water and energy) and critical transport vehicles (e.g., belonging to public or private entities intended for the transport of patients and organs), for which exclusive fuel stations, part of the REPA, are reserved.
The Resolution took effect immediately, and the measures may be extended or reinforced if the supply situation does not return to normal.
For further information, please consult the Resolution here.
