“In a global scenario of slowdown, our country continues to stand out as a reference, quickly approaching an almost entirely renewable electricity system,” noted the association in a written response, regarding the annual report on renewable energies from the International Energy Agency (IEA), released on Tuesday.
The IEA has lowered its expectations for global renewable electricity growth by 5% by 2030, primarily due to policy changes in the United States and China, making the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2023 (COP28) target of tripling global renewable capacity by 2030 out of reach.
The international agency revised down its projections for the United States by almost 50% compared to those for 2024, citing policy changes resulting in the early elimination of tax incentives, import restrictions, and the suspension and reduction of licenses for onshore wind and solar photovoltaic projects on federal lands.
APREN considered the report “reinforces the leadership role of Europe and, in particular, Portugal, in the energy transition” and that this recognition confirms that the country “is on the right path, but also highlights the urgency of accelerating the pace.”
“The country has a solid foundation, but success depends on the ability to execute,” the association emphasized, highlighting the need to fully transpose the European directive REDIII (Renewable Energy Directive III) and to treat renewable energies “as a higher public interest, essential for energy security, economic competitiveness, and reducing Portuguese families’ energy bills.”
For APREN, “the challenge is not to set goals, but to achieve them,” considering that a “political and social consensus on tangible results” is essential.
Regarding the measures announced by the Government, for the creation of Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones and the new decree-law that simplifies network connection requests, APREN considered that they “represent concrete steps in the right direction” and address “long-identified concerns of the sector.”
