Portugal: Power Grid Upgrade Study Launched After Storm Damage

Portugal to Study Adapting Power Grid to Climate Change After Storm and Blackout

The Portuguese government has announced a study to assess how to adapt the nation’s electrical system to the increasing effects of climate change, following recent disruptions caused by severe weather and a widespread Iberian blackout. The initiative comes as thousands of households continue to grapple with power outages weeks after Storm Kristin battered the country.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the study will be “technical, economic and regulatory” in nature, examining potential solutions for bolstering the National Electrical System. One key area of focus will be the potential for burying power lines in areas deemed particularly vulnerable.

Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho’s office indicated that an analysis of the cost-benefit of various solutions, an estimation of necessary investments and a phased implementation plan will be completed within six months. The work will be contracted through the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology.

The study will specifically identify critical areas most exposed to wildfires or extreme weather events, and will evaluate different technical solutions comparatively. These include reinforcing existing overhead lines, complete or partial burial of lines, hybrid solutions, and technologies designed to enhance grid resilience. The cost-effectiveness of each solution, as well as its impact on service continuity and tariffs, will be assessed.

the study will establish investment calculations and propose methodological adaptations to planning instruments, to be integrated into future cycles of the National Transport Network Development and Investment Plan and the National Distribution Network Development and Investment Plan. A phased implementation plan, including prioritization and a tentative timeline, along with the identification of funding sources, will also be developed.

Minister Carvalho emphasized that the planning and implementation of electricity supply networks “must guarantee safety, reliability and the quality of service.” She added, “We are obliged to adapt the electrical system to the demands of the present and the needs of the future to avoid service disruptions and ensure security of supply.”

The government highlighted that the European Commission has increased funding and regulatory simplification for investments in so-called “smart” infrastructure through the Grids Package.

Recent weeks of severe weather, the government stated, have “demonstrated the urgency of re-evaluating planning criteria, particularly regarding the structural robustness of infrastructure, the selective burial of lines in critical areas, and the incorporation of resilience metrics into decision-making processes.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, approximately nine thousand customers remained without electricity, according to E-Redes, the country’s grid operator. The company reiterated its advice that anyone identifying fallen or damaged electrical infrastructure should stay clear and report the situation to 800 506 506 or through the Digital Counter.

E-Redes reported that around eleven thousand customers in areas affected by Storm Kristin were without power as of Monday morning.

This announcement follows a April 28, 2025 blackout that impacted most of Spain and Portugal, prompting Portuguese authorities to invest 137 million euros ($159 million dollars) in grid upgrades, increase the number of ‘black start’ power stations, and reinforce critical infrastructure like hospitals with solar panels and batteries, as announced in July 2025.

The Iberian outage, which lasted through nightfall, disrupted businesses, transit systems, cellular networks, and internet connectivity. Spain lost 15 gigawatts of electricity – approximately 60% of its supply – in just five seconds, triggering a similar shutdown in Portugal. Power was fully restored in both countries the following morning.