Final energy consumption

Since 2005, final energy consumption in Portugal has fluctuated due to macroeconomic conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic and the progressive implementation of energy efficiency measures. After a pattern of slight decrease until 2010, consumption decreased at a higher rate during the European sovereign debt crisis, which was followed by moderate growth after 2015. A temporary drop in 2020 was reversed in 2022 and sustained in 2023, with consumption returning to near the 2019 level, primarily due to increases in the services and transport sectors. Overall, a stabilisation trend is visible, driven by renewables and energy efficiency policies. However, the more robust attribution of outcomes to specific measures remains a challenge. Managing authorities are upgrading monitoring systems to better track impacts, particularly in the building and transport sectors. Targeted initiatives such as the programme for the reduction of tariffs for public transport (PART) (from 2020/2021) and the intensive energy consumption management system (SGCIE) scheme for energy-intensive industries contribute to these national efforts. There is, however, a methodological caveat: the – 24.3% reduction target for 2030 referred to in the graph is benchmarked against the 2005 level, whereas the Energy Efficiency Directive establishes 2020 as the reference year, potentially leading to inconsistencies in progress assessment.