Energy and Climate transition: ADENE's Global Priorities for the Next Triennium
Nelson Lage
President of ADENE - Portuguese Energy Agency | Dynamic C-Level executive in Energy, Innovation, and International Affairs | Driving Strategic Growth and Transformative Impact
ADENE's centrality lies in areas such as energy certification, energy and water efficiency, renewable energies, energy and water management in buildings and industry, training, and the promotion of energy and climate literacy, with a focus on citizens. In the 2024-2026 triennium, ADENE, while remaining an aggregator in the energy sector, has a renewed ambition that extends to new challenges, committing to climate action and sustainability throughout its activities
The climate crisis stands today as one of the greatest threats to humanity, compelling us all to urgently confront the challenges of climate change. These challenges have been causing increasingly severe impacts on human life and the environment, creating an urgent and widespread call to action. Emphasizing the immediate need to implement significant measures to mitigate the harmful effects on society and the ecosystem.
The assertion that "our common future depends on the energy choices we make today" reinforces the connection between current energy policy decisions and the collective destiny of humanity. This generates a collective sense of responsibility. Energy transition emerges as the answer to a more sustainable future, requiring a structural change in the energy system to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote renewable energy sources. This process involves not only a shift in energy sources but also a deeper reconfiguration in how society obtains and consumes energy. Consequently, the dual goal of energy transition involves diversifying energy sources and increasing energy efficiency, aligning with the search for more ecological and sustainable solutions.
Portugal has long been committed to climate transition, but global challenges persist, making the period from 2024 to 2026 crucial for the success of these efforts.
Geopolitical uncertainty and the global energy crisis have induced high inflation rates, weak economic growth, significant pressure on public finances, decreased purchasing power for households, financial constraints on businesses, and a loss of external economic competitiveness. According to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Union (EU) must go beyond emergency budget responses and focus on structural changes to dissociate itself from fossil fuels. The execution of the European Green Deal is highlighted as one of the mechanisms for a fair and inclusive ecological transition toward a carbon-neutral economy, maintaining the EU's competitive industry.
In this scenario, for the 2024-2026 triennium, public policies in the energy sector should be ambitious, focusing more on addressing root causes than effects. On the demand side, the emphasis should be on building renovations and Zero Emission Buildings (ZEB); increasing electrification of the energy system; sustainable mobility, with a reinforcement of soft modes, public transportation, and electric mobility; promoting efficiency and reduced resource use in the circular and blue economy; and a park of more efficient equipment. On the supply side, there is an anticipated increase in installed capacity (including storage); production of renewable-based electricity; individual and collective self-consumption; and the introduction of renewable gases.
ADENE - the Energy Agency, as a private non-profit association serving the public interest, positions itself as the "voice of the energy consumer," whether an individual, association, company, or entity. It promotes their participation in a process of debate and reflection and aligns with public policies, reinforcing Portugal's role at the forefront of climate action. This is anchored in a democratic and fair model that enhances efficient resource use and wealth creation.
In the next triennium, ADENE reinforces its commitment to sustainability, one of its core values, integrated into a focus on Climate Action, including for the first time the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its strategy.
This change reflects a closer alignment with the challenges of climate transition, recognizing the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic goals. The agency aims to strengthen the promotion of energy efficiency across all sectors, ensuring citizens have access to safe, sustainable, and affordable energy. This new approach reflects a holistic commitment to a more sustainable future, emphasizing not only a change in energy sources but also conscious, inclusive, and sustainable consumption practices.
ADENE's centrality lies in areas such as energy certification, energy and water efficiency, renewable energies, energy and water management in buildings and industry, training, and the promotion of energy and climate literacy, with a focus on citizens. In this next triennium, ADENE, while remaining an aggregator in the energy sector, has a renewed ambition that extends to new challenges, committing to climate action and sustainability throughout its activities.
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These new challenges will occupy a significant part of ADENE's efforts, with emphasis on areas such as the voluntary carbon market, sustainable mobility, green industry, agrovoltaics, the blue economy, and energy poverty, among others. This triennium will also be marked by enhanced cooperation, with a focus on developing the Covenant of Mayors and a commitment to the UN's SDGs, adopting an approach that considers the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions.
ADENE, as an entity that educates, informs, and clarifies, will continue to work collaboratively with various public and private stakeholders, implementing public policies and clarifying new priority areas for the country, such as offshore production, green hydrogen, lithium, and other critical raw materials essential to energy and digital transition, as well as addressing significant energy challenges like energy storage.
Offshore wind energy emerges as an additional technology in electricity production from renewable sources. Investment in this modality yields substantial returns, significantly contributing to electricity production in the national grid. Moreover, the proper signaling and location of these infrastructures not only reduce onshore environmental impact but also minimize acoustic effects.
The investment in green hydrogen, an energy vector standing out as a catalyst for Portugal's energy model shift, can contribute to emissions reduction, diversify the energy matrix, drive technological innovation, create jobs, strengthen the economy, and position the country at the forefront of global leadership towards a greener and more resilient economy.
Regarding lithium, it is undeniable that this is a scarce and crucial resource for the energy transition, existing within the national territory, allowing Portugal to stand out in the battery value chain. This not only propels the electrification of transportation, especially electric vehicles, but also strengthens the integration of renewable energies, providing efficient storage solutions. By responsibly exploring lithium reserves, Portugal not only aligns with global sustainability goals but also creates significant economic opportunities, promoting innovation, jobs, and investments at the forefront of the energy revolution.
ADENE will continue to play its role in informing and clarifying issues related to current energy challenges, with a focus on energy storage as a response to the intermittency of renewable energies, mitigating factors that could induce disruptions in electricity supply.
By focusing on these topics, ADENE empowers the public to understand and contribute to solutions that strengthen resilience and security in energy supply.
Committed to climate transition, the Agency will dedicate its efforts in this triennium to consolidating the work done so far, diversifying its focus on new areas to reinforce its position as an aggregating agency, and enhancing its proximity to the sector, associations, companies, and, most importantly, citizens.
The Energy Agency will continue to work tirelessly to contribute to building a more sustainable future for Portugal and the world.
ADENE´s Board of Directors 2023-2026