Public consultation on Portgás' proposed €128M investment

Portgás, a company wholly owned by REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais, plans to invest €128 million by 2029 according to its proposal for the Natural Gas Distribution Networks Development and Investment Plan (PDIRD 2024). This proposal, covering the period 2025-2029, has now been opened for public consultation by the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE). Stakeholders can submit comments until 16 July 2024.

The newly presented Plan proposal outlines an expansion of the distribution network by 429 km, alongside investments of €84.1 million in business development and €14 million in decarbonisation initiatives. As part of its asset decarbonisation strategy, Portgás plans to invest €10.6 million in developing solutions to enable a 20% hydrogen (H2) blend in its network. The Portuguese National Strategy for Hydrogen sets a target for incorporation of H2 in gas networks by volume of 5% by 2025 and 10 to 15% by 2030.

In addition to ensuring service quality and expanding supply points, this PDIRD also aims to facilitate the decarbonisation of gas distribution networks and enable the connection of renewable gas producers, particularly biomethane. The investment figures planned for each of the 29 municipalities within Portgás' concession area are available for consultation on both the distributor's and ERSE's websites.

Following the public consultation phase, non-binding opinions will be issued by ERSE and the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology. The approval of PDIRD proposals falls under the purview of the government member responsible for the energy sector.