The integration of electricity meters into smart grids is “practically complete in mainland Portugal,” announced the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) on Tuesday.
“By the end of the first half of 2025, 99% of low voltage electricity clients had an intelligent meter integrated into the smart grid, benefiting from services such as daily consumption readings or remote changes to contracted power,” stated a communication from the energy regulator.
The process of installing smart meters and integrating them into the smart grid in mainland Portugal can be considered practically complete, fulfilling the objective set by Decree-Law No. 15/2022 of January 14, which mandated that the integration of meters into the smart grid should be completed by the end of 2024.
“Portugal joins other European countries, such as Austria, Spain, Estonia, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Scandinavian, and Baltic countries, where smart meters have become widespread,” ERSE revealed.
The energy sector regulator highlights that “in mainland Portugal, there are 11 electricity distribution network operators, among which E-REDES serves 99.5% of low voltage clients.”
“By the end of the first semester of 2025, more than 99% of installations connected to networks operated by the distributor had intelligent meters and were integrated into the smart grid, with around 40,000 meters left to install and about 70,000 installations to integrate. E-REDES has installed between 450,000 and 900,000 smart meters per year since 2015,” stated the communication.
Regarding the “remaining 10 distribution network operators, responsible for 0.5% of low voltage clients, half have completed the installation of smart meters (A LORD, A CELER, Cooperativa Eléctrica de Vale d’ Este, Cooperativa Eléctrica de Loureiro, Cooperativa Eléctrica de S. Simão de Novais), though they do not yet offer all services planned or do not offer them to all clients. Four operators (Casa do Povo de Valongo do Vouga, A Elétrica Moreira de Cónegos, CoopRoriz, and Cooperativa Eléctrica de Vilarinho) have not yet completed the installation of smart meters, and one operator (Junta de Freguesia de Cortes do Meio) has not started this installation.”
“However, all distribution network operators anticipate that by the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, the integration into the smart grid will be complete,” concluded ERSE.
ERSE also highlights that the “benefits associated with the development of smart grids are especially important in a time of great demand on electrical networks, called upon to enable the energy transition, whether through the installation of renewable production or the increased electrification of domestic, industrial, and transport consumption.”
“The emergence and consolidation of new forms of client participation, including adherence to dynamic tariffs, self-consumption, energy sharing, electric mobility, or providing flexibility services to the grid, largely depend on this development,” it added.
The Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE) is working on tools to assist consumers in choosing the most competitive suppliers of butane gas cylinders, announced today by the regulator’s president in parliament.
Lusa | 12:57 – 22/10/2025
