The Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos (ERSE) has drawn up a new strategic plan for the period from 2023 to 2027, in which it outlines four lines of action, which include objectives such as increasing the energy literacy of Portuguese consumers, but also “ensuring the efficient functioning of markets”.
The plan, which ERSE submitted to a public consultation (interested parties may submit their comments by May 5), does not include quantitative objectives, presenting only a set of action priorities that should guide the regulator’s activity over the next five years.
The first axis of the plan is based on the “participation and inclusion” of energy consumers, with ERSE aiming for “a broad and effective participation in consultation processes” and proposing clarification and information actions for society. One of the goals is “to promote energy literacy for conscious decision-making and proactive participation by consumers”.
A second line of action for ERSE is linked to the energy transition and the “networks of the future”, with the regulator wanting to promote a framework of rules that “facilitates new trends in the sector”, but also guarantees “the efficient regulation of natural monopolies”, i.e. electricity and gas networks. ERSE also intends to “ensure that the sector’s decarbonization takes place at efficient costs, with the sharing of visible benefits for consumers and operators”.
As a third vector, the strategic plan for 2027 also includes the intention to strive for “effective and dynamic regulation” with regard to energy markets. “Ensuring the efficient functioning of the markets, oriented towards the harmonization of the various energy vectors and the correct price signal” is one of the objectives outlined by the entity led by Pedro Verdelho.
ERSE wants to “ensure the protection of consumers in the face of the growing diversity of new agents in the energy sector and the introduction of innovations in the services and products offered”, in addition to promoting “demand flexibility”, an area that until now has involved only consumers industrial customers, but which in the future may also cover domestic customers, who are more willing to adjust their hourly consumption according to price signals.
A fourth axis of the regulator’s plan is centered on “training”, ensuring that ERSE manages to equip itself with human and technical resources to act, attracting and retaining talent.