Soure, Portugal, Sept. 21, 2026 (Lusa) - Water reserves currently stand at 75% in Portugal, which is better than in 2025, but this year there is a «greater shortage» in the northern and central regions of the country, the minister for the environment and energy said on Monday.
«Last year, the national average was 72% of [water] reserves; at the moment, I believe we have 75%. In any case, there is something completely different that concerns me compared with all previous years, which is the greater scarcity in the North and Centre than in the South,» said Maria da Graça Carvalho.
The minister was speaking in Soure, in the region of Coimbra, during a visit to the restoration works currently underway on the River Arunca, following the storms at the start of the year, which were included in the municipality's celebrations, during which she was awarded the Gold Medal.
Speaking to journalists, the minister explained that the three river basins that «are in a worse state than last year» are those of the Lima, the Vouga and the Mondego, whilst the Algarve «is well above last year's levels», as are the Alentejo coast, the Tagus and the Guadiana.
According to Carvalho, it is necessary to carry out «extensive water monitoring» due to its importance for all socio-economic activities and its link to electricity.
«We generate our own energy and have been shielded from rising gas prices because we have a great deal of renewable [energy]. And we have a precious form of renewable energy – hydropower – which provides stability to the system. Now, if we have less water, we will have to exercise some caution and care regarding the use of hydropower, which will force us to use more gas, which is very expensive», she said.
The minister gave assurances that all river basins are being monitored and that hydropower is being used cautiously to ensure a balance.
«We are monitoring all the effects and all the river basins, day by day, hour by hour, using hydropower very cautiously, precisely to maintain that balance,» she maintained.
With no rain forecast until the end of September and some indications of extreme weather events early next year, she stressed that «great caution» is required.
«What I mean is that difficult times are ahead; they have never been easy since we have been in government. This war or international instability is the sixth crisis we have faced in two years, and there will be more to come, because there are many factors at play that are linked to energy in general and to water, but we are very aware, concerned and vigilant regarding all these developments,» she concluded.
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