Europe / Caspian / CIS
Country profile: Portugal
| Location: | Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain |
| Climate: | maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south |
| Terrain: | mountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south |
| Size: | 92391 sq. km total (Land area: 91951 sq. km Water area: 440 sq.km) |
| Population: | 10,676,910 (July 2008 est.) |
| Languages: | Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used) |
| Government: | republic; parliamentary democracy |
| Capital city: | Lisbon |
| Legal system: | based on civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations |
| Currency: | euro (EUR) |
| Licensing: |
Country profile
Both Spain and Portugal have been members of the European Union (EU) since 1986. EU membership has led to an increased standard of living and economic growth in the Iberian Peninsula and billions of dollars worth of EU structural funds flowing into the two countries. Nevertheless, both countries continue to face economic challenges. Spain's unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, while Portugal has repeatedly exceeded the EU's limits on budget deficits. Economic growth spurred by EU membership has led to increases in energy consumption. For example, Spain's energy demand has increased over 100 percent since the mid-1970s.
The Iberian Peninsula has limited energy resources, so both Spain and Portugal must depend upon imports for the bulk of their energy needs. Attempts to develop domestic energy sources, though, have focused on hydropower and renewables. Both countries have also sought greater integration of the Iberian energy sector through policy coordination and infrastructure projects. The two announced in 2001 that they would create a single Iberian electricity market without limits on transnational ownership or market participation. However, repeated delays have pushed implementation of this market, called Mibel, until October 2007.
Energy production and consumption
| Oil | Gas | |
| Production: | 9,500 bbl/day (2006 est.) | |
| Consumption: | 305,800 bbl/day (2006 est.) | 3 billion cu m (2006) |
| Exports: | 43,070 bbl/day (2004 est.) | |
| Imports: | 361,300 bbl/day (2004 est.) | 4 billion cu m (2006) |
| Reserves: | ||
| Major fields: |
Portugal - recent news
| 14 Apr 25 |
Portugal: Gazelle Wind Power secures TUPEM authorization to launch its 2 MW floating wind demonstrator off the coast of Aguçadoura, Portugal Gazelle Wind Power has achieved a significant project milestone with the approval of a 10-year TUPEM (Titulo de Utilizacao Privativa do Espaco Marítimo) authorization, clearing the way for the deployment of its 2 MW Nau Azul floating wind demonstrator project off the coast of Aguçadoura, Portugal. |
| 26 Feb 25 |
Portugal: Sonnedix acquires two renewable energy projects in Portugal Sonnedix, a leading renewable energy producer with over 3 GW of global operating capacity, has acquired two ready-to-build (RTB) renewable energy projects in Northern Portugal. |
| 10 Dec 24 |
Portugal: Iberdrola gets green light to install Portugal's largest wind farm Iberdrola has obtained the production licence from the Portuguese Directorate General for Energy and Geology, which is another step towards the construction of the largest wind farm in Portugal. |
| 31 Jul 24 |
Portugal: ACCIONA Energia signs agreement with eSPap to supply renewable electricity to public entities in Portugal ACCIONA Energía has signed a framework contract with the Portuguese Public Administration Shared Services Entity (eSPap), a body that centralizes purchasing and contracting for various public entities in Portugal, including electricity. |
| 24 Jul 24 |
Portugal: Iberdrola increases its renewable production in Portugal with two new photovoltaic plants The Montechoro I and II PV plants, located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, have been completed and now contribute to the country's renewable energy production capacity. With a total installed capacity of 37 megawatts (MW) and a total annual production capacity of 56.84 GWh, the projects were awarded to Iberdrola in an auction in 2019. |
Portugal - more news
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