Overview of grid
Plant operators are entitled to grid access, after assessment of their compliance with regulations, by distribution operators, which must grant priority to the connection of power plants that produce electricity from renewable resources – with the exception of the electricity produced by > 30 MW hydroelectric plants (art. 17-A DL 76/2019).
Connection to the grid
Grid connection is allowed for producers who manage to obtain reserve grid capacity either by: i) obtaining a grid capacity reserve title issued by a distribution system operator (DSO).; ii) agreement made between the producer and the distribution operator; and iii) a tender procedure (art. 5-A DL 76/2019).
The grid capacity reserve title can be obtained by filling out a form available on DGEG’s website. In the form, amongst other things, producers must choose one of the DSOs available for their undertaking (either Energias de Portugal, EDP, or Redes Energéticas Nacionais, REN), and specify the power and voltage of their electricity production units.
Use of the grid
The use of the grid is allowed to all producers who manage to obtain grid capacity and whose projects have been analysed and approved by DGEG and the environmental authorities (DL 76/2019).
Grid development
In every two years, each distribution system operator, along with the transmission system operator, draft a 5-year investment plan for the betterment of the distribution system (Development and Investment Plan for the Electricity Transmission Network, PDIRT-E).
DL 76/2019 also introduced the possibility of plant operators or plant developers being capable of contributing to the improvement, expansion of grid infrastructure. In this case, operators can enter into an agreement with the distribution system operator (art. 5 of DL 76/2019).
Competent authorities
Directorate-General of Energy and Geology (DGEG)
Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE)
E-REDES / Energias de Portugal (EDP)
Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN)
Number of DSOs
Number of DSOs: 13
Number of legally unbundled DSOs: 1
In mainland Portugal 10 DSOs operate exclusively LV lines. Only 2 DSOs operate on the islands and do not have to be legally unbundled.
Source: 2020 DSO facts and figures Eurelectric; Distribution System Operator Observatory 2020
Smart Meter Penetration Rate
48.3%
Source: 2020 DSO facts and figures Eurelectric
Active electricity suppliers
Total number of active electricity nationwide suppliers: 29
Switching rates for electricity household customers in 2018: 15.9%
Source: Monitoring Report on the Performance of European Retail Markets in 2018. CEER Report