Lisbon, May 6, 2025 (Lusa) - Portugal's energy sector regulator, ERSE, has put grid operator REN's €472.7-million investment plan for the country's gas networks out to public consultation until June. 

"ERSE is today putting out for public consultation the PDIRG 2025 proposal for the indicative ten-year development and investment plan for the National Transport Network, Storage Infrastructures and LNG Terminals (RNTIAT) for the 2026-2035 period, drawn up by REN Gasodutos," reads the statement released by the regulator on Tuesday. 

The proposal provides for overall investment of €472.7 million between 2026 and 2035 in the development of investment projects in the three high-pressure infrastructures - the National Transport Network (RNTG), the Sines LNG Terminal (TGNL) and the Carriço Underground Storage (AS). 

The amount of investment can be divided into four blocks of projects: a first, worth €225.4 million, relating to basic projects; a second, totalling €98.6 million, for complementary projects, such as the construction of two new underground storage cavities; a third, also referring to complementary projects, comprising "investments associated with projects that enable the blending of natural gas and hydrogen, totalling 111.2 million euros," as summarised by ERSE; and the final block of complementary projects, totalling €38 million, includes investments relating to the development of the National Gas Transport Network. 

Interested parties must submit comments on the proposed plan by 20 June. 

Once the public consultation is over, ERSE will prepare its report within 22 days, followed by issuing its opinion on the proposal within 30 days of finalising the report. 

Based on the results of the consultation, a non-binding opinion will be issued. 

It is then up to the government to approve the proposal. 

EP/ARO // ARO.

Lusa