Lisbon, Feb. 21, 2025 (Lusa) - Portugal's underground gas reserves were at 100% on 1 February, surpassing the intermediate target of a minimum of 70% at the beginning of February and May and the European Union (EU) average of 53.1% on that date.
According to the Gas Infrastructure Utilisation Bulletin, published on Friday by the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) and citing data from GIE - Gas Infrastructure Europe, with regard to underground storage, "Portugal exceeded the objectives of the REPowerEU Plan, having a gas stock of 102% of firm commercial capacity on 1 November 2024", which is equivalent to 28 days of average national consumption.
The REPowerEU Plan stipulates that, on 1 November, each country must have underground gas reserves corresponding to at least 90% of its capacity.
At European level, data shows that on 1 November 2024, gas stored in caverns reached 93.2%.
In addition, the implementing regulation published in November 2024 set Portugal the intermediate target of 70% for the minimum level of storage at the beginning of February and May 2025, and on 1 February this year the "stock" was 100%, above the EU average of 53.1%.
ERSE emphasised that underground gas storage infrastructures accommodate the country's strategic gas reserves, which are used in the event of a serious supply disruption, such as variations in demand or possible supply interruptions.
REPowerEU is a European Commission plan to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2030, adopted after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
According to data from the energy regulator, last year, the Sines liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal carried out 53 unloading operations of methane ships, three fewer than in 2023.
Those ships came from four origins, with Nigeria (25 methane ships) and the United States of America (23) as the main suppliers. At the same time, three ships arrived from Russia and two from Trinidad and Tobago.
The Sines terminal is the only infrastructure in Portugal dedicated to receiving LNG by sea and is, therefore, crucial to the national gas supply.
In total, 48.5 terawatt hours (TWh) of LNG were unloaded, a reduction of 6.1% compared to 2023. This reflects the fall in gas consumption, partially offset by the increase in exports.
ERSE pointed out that the monthly fluctuations in LNG unloaded at the terminal reflect gas demand, which is influenced by seasonal temperature patterns and weather conditions.
Exports through the Iberian Virtual Interconnection Point (VIP) reached a record 9.3 TWh.
MPE/ADB // ADB.
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