Grid issues in Portugal

PDF

Updated: 06.02.2019

Author: Moïra Jimeno

Summary of grid issues

Connection to the grid

Operators of renewable energy plants are contractually entitled against the grid operator to the connection of their plants to the grid. The grid operator is obliged to enter into a contract on the connection of a plant without discriminating against plant operators ("obligation to enter into a contract").

Use of the grid

Plant operators are contractually entitled against the grid operator to the transmission of electricity. The grid operator is obliged to conclude a contract on the use of the grid without discriminating against plant operators.

Grid development

As a rule, plant operators are not entitled to development of the grid. Yet, the grid operator has the general obligation to develop his grid and prepare a Transmission Grid Development and Investment Plan (PDIRT).

Statutory provisions

  • DL 363/2007 (Decreto-Lei n.° 363/2007 de 2 de Novembro – Decree-Law No. 363/2007 of 2 November) as amended.
  • DL 34/2011 (Decreto-Lei n.° 34/2011 de 8 de Março – Decree-Law No. 34/2011 of 8 March)  as amended.
  • DL 29/2006 (Decreto-Lei n.° 29/2006 de 15 de Fevereiro - Decree-Law No. 29/2006 of 15 February) on the organisation of the national electricity grid system, in conjunction with its amending acts DL 104/2010 (Decreto-Lei n.° 104/2010 de 29 de Setembro - Decree-Law No. 104/2010 of 29 September) and DL 215-A/2012 (Decreto-Lei n.° 215-A/2012 de 08 de Outubro - Decree-Law No. 215-A/2012 of 8 October).
  • DL 172/2006 (Decreto-Lei n.° 172/2006 de 23 de Agosto - Decree-Law No. 172/2006 of 23 August) on the principles governing the organisation and operation of the national electricity grid system as set by DL 29/2006, in conjunction with its amending act DL 215-B/2012 (Decreto-Lei n.° 215-B/2012 de 8 de Outubro - Decree-Law No. 215-B/2012 of 8 October).
  • DL 153/2014 (Decreto-Lei n.° 153/2014 de 20 de Outubro - Decree-Law No. 153/2014 of 20 October).
  • Ordinance 14/2015 (Portaria n.° 14/2015 de 23 de Janeiro - Ordinance No. 14/2015 of 23 January) sets the legal regime applicable to small production (UPP) and self-consumption (UPAC) units.
  • Ordinance 3306/2018 (Despacho n.° 3306/2018 de 19 de Março – Ordinance No. 3306/2018 of 19 March) determines the transitional requirements to be applied for the connection of PV and concentrated solar power (CSP) technology to the public grid.

Portugal

Further information

  • Ministério da Economia, da Inovação e do Desenvolvimento. Direcção Geral de Energia e Geologia (DGEG) – Directorate General for Energy and Geology at the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Development
  • +351 217 922 782
  • DGEG website
  • Racionalizacao.Energia(at)dgge.pt
  • Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos (ERSE) – Energy Services Regulatory Authority
  • +351 213 033 200
  • ERSE website
  • erse(at)erse.pt
  • Rede Eléctrica Nacional, S.A. (REN) – Concession holder of the National Electricity Transmission Grid (RNT)
  • + 351 210 013 500
  • REN website
  • EDP Distribuição – Main Distribution System Operator
  • +351 808 100 100
  • EDP website