From replacing windows to renewable energy: Portugal has a plan to reduce dependence on Russians | War in Ukraine
Turn off the air conditioning in the summer, quickly turn off the houses in the winter and even reduce the. The European Union and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have published a set of suggestions, entitled playing my parturges the countries’ dependence to reduce that of the Russians.
Portugal, even though it is one of the least dependent countries on gas from Moscow – and, in 2021, it only imports 10% of the raw material –, confirmed to the PUBLIC the existence of an energy plan to guarantee independence from gas and oil. Russians with a target set for 2030: “to achieve 47% of renewables in final energy consumption”, assures the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action (MAAC), adding that the objective must be anticipated taking into account the advances registered in the recent years, including the three solar energy or solar energy auctions.
“What this conflict has shown is that it is necessary to accelerate this transition in order to reduce dependence on foreign countries, Russia, and move from an economy based on fossil fuels (imported in particular by renewable sources and fossil fuels), can, mostly, be at national and European level”, said the MAAC in response to PÚBLICO.
In this way, by reinforcing the bet on renewable energy sources, such as the scheme or biomethane, which reserve the reduction of dependence on natural gas, the Government will centralize gas in the electrification of appliances.
The application proposal, which has already been proposed in the 2022 State Budget, project a 6% VAT rate for the delivery and installation of thermal and photovoltaic solar panels, as well as environmental deductions that promote the energy efficiency of buildings.
In this one, MAAC chose the replacement of windows and thermal insulation as a priority, given that Portugal is one of the worst countries in the European Union where energy poverty in homes is greater. However, it is important that the materials do not have petroleum in the composition.
Aline Guer, administrator of the Sustainable Construction Portal, agreed with the Government, but it is recommended that some of the scopes do not exist. ”What’s the point of a 6% VAT rate if the ‘true needy’ don’t, even with this rate, be able to put it?”, he asks, to complement that the same happens with the insulation of housing, since the way in which the measure actually designed was “not to improve the buildings that are improved”.
In Portugal, it is estimated that around 660 to 740 thousand people are in a situation of severe energy poverty, while 1.2 to 2.3 million are in a situation of equality, according to the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology. (DEG).
In the same way, originated the report, for the thermostat of the reference messages or air conditioning, already approved by the Italian Government, it is measure, for now, a viable alternative for the country. Aline Guerreiro shares the same opinion, since energy needs are met with the best insulation of buildings.
Electric vehicles and oil bets from Nigeria and the US
Return to the time of reducing transport costs during the week and to the time of telespeed in relation to at least ten kilometers. In addition to the use of electric vehicles, it also presents as an alternative the closing of cities to cars on Sundays, such as the arrival in cities such as Madrid, Athens, Paris or Milan.
The Portuguese Government also highlighted the need to achieve more sustainable mobility, either through the use of electric vehicles, or through the promotion of public transport and the carbonization of fleets. However, banning the use of cars in city centers is outside the scope of measures.
In the same vein, and in the wake of the companies promoted by the war, the State has supported transport companies with support 9 Ukraine that can reach 1 buses.
In addition to the transition to a green one, the MAAC also ensures that Russian energy independence can be achieved with several sources of supply such as Qatar and Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean, as well as a continued commitment to Nigerian and US oil companies, responsible, respectively, for “56% and 44% of the national supply of natural gas in the month of April”.