Lisbon, Sept. 24, 2026 (Lusa) - Socialist Party leader José Luís Carneiro wants the government to clarify whether there is a problem with the country's strategic fuel reserves and seeks an explanation for information he received about an alleged transfer of part of the reserves to France.
«We are going to request information from the minister for the environment, as, should the information passed on to us prove to be true, it would mean that the country could be in a critical situation regarding its strategic fuel reserves,» the PS leader told journalists at the end of a meeting in Lisbon with associations representing the energy and telecommunications sectors.
José Luís Carneiro said he had received information «that the Portuguese state has mobilised part of its strategic energy reserves for France» and also that it is purchasing a type of crude oil «which cannot be used as an immediate fuel» as «it requires a type of refining» which he said does not exist in Portugal.
«This is a matter of the utmost importance which I shall also raise in parliament on Thursday, and we shall demand the necessary explanations from the prime minister and the Ministry of the Environment,» he added.
The PS leader therefore wants the government to say it has sufficient strategic reserves to ensure the country maintains an adequate fuel supply in the near future.
«Essential strategic reserves and, secondly, strategic reserves that are operationally viable, that can be mobilised in an emergency,» he explained.
Carneiro said he will raise this question this afternoon during the debate in parliament, where 14 initiatives from various parties aimed at alleviating the rising cost of living will be discussed.
«In the meantime, however, we will request a written response on these two matters. We are telling those listening that, according to the information we have, 132,000 tonnes of reserves were mobilised for France,» he said.
On Wednesday, the minister for the environment and energy assured the public that Portugal «is in a very good position» regarding fuel reserves, allaying concerns about shortages at a time when some petrol stations in France are running out of certain products.
«We are in a very good position with our reserves. Overall, for liquid fuels, we have 92 days' worth; the recommended level is 90. For jet fuel, we saw a 3% increase in consumption up to the end of August, but we managed to build up an additional 18% in reserves,» said Maria da Graça Carvalho on the sidelines of the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Almada Municipal Council and EPAL.
JF/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
