A new proposal to revise the National Energy and Climate Plan (PNEC 2030) will be presented by the government for public consultation from Monday to 5 September, the Ministry of Environment and Energy announced on Sunday.
The document sets “more ambitious targets” for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the share of renewable energy, and outlining “a clear trajectory to achieve climate neutrality in 2045,” the Ministry of Environment and Energy said in a statement.
PNEC 2030 includes eight goals, 65 action areas and 297 measures that define “the direction of the energy transition in favor of the country’s strategic interests,” he adds.
The memo also said one of the changes the government had made was to increase the national target to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 55% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels, setting “the most ambitious threshold – the previously set range of 45% – to 55%”.
PNEC 2030 also sets a target of 51% share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption by 2030, up from the previous target of 47%, reflecting “strategic investments in renewable energy and its potential to attract investment,” he continues.
To achieve this goal, the government proposes to intensify the exploration of renewable energy potential between 2025 and 2030, with a focus on solar and onshore/offshore wind technologies, increasing solar capacity from 8.4 gigawatts (GW) to 20.05 gigawatts (GW), increasing onshore wind capacity from 6.3 GW to 10.4 GW, and increasing offshore wind capacity from 0.03 GW to 2 GW.
Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho explained in a statement that her ministry had considered the PNEC2030 dossier a “priority” from the outset.
He continues: “This is not just a plan: it is a development project for Portugal, using the country’s renewable energy potential to stimulate industrial activity, economic growth, green jobs, innovation and technological development.”
PNEC 2030 “is of strategic importance for combating climate change, ensuring energy security, attracting investment and increasing competitiveness,” the minister emphasizes.
The PNEC 2030 also provides for a decarbonisation trajectory towards climate neutrality in 2045, in line with the ambitions set out in the Basic Climate Law, the statement said.
The document also places a “higher priority” on energy storage, with the development of a national plan aimed at increasing capacity by 2030 through reversible hydroelectricity, renewable hydrogen production and, later in the decade, through the contribution of battery technologies.
The new PNEC 2030 proposal will be in public consultation for 45 days, from 22 July to 5 September, to allow for the receipt and integration of civil society input.
According to the ministry, the plan will later be submitted to the Assembly of the Republic for discussion.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.