10/03/2026

ERSE – the Portuguese Energy Services Regulatory Authority launches today a public consultation on a regulation concerning the allocation of grid connection capacity to consumption facilities in high demand areas (ZGP).

Decree-Law No. 80/2023, of 6 September, established the exceptional procedure for allocating connection capacity to the Public Service Electricity Network (RESP) for electricity consumption facilities in ZGP and also recognised the ZGP of Sines.

According to the decree, ERSE is responsible for setting the amount to be paid by interested parties to capacity holders who make available or transfer unused previously allocated capacity. This value, set by ERSE, is also the reserve price for the auction to be held if the capacity made available or transferred, in conjunction with the capacity resulting from network reinforcements, is still not sufficient to meet the calculated demand.

Under Directive No. 20-A/2023, of 29 December, ERSE had already approved, for the ZGP of Sines, the respective regulation, including the amount to be paid by interested parties to those who make available or transfer unused allocated consumption capacity in that ZGP.

Order No. 1135/2026, of 2 February, has now recognised the entire mainland territory served by RESP as a single ZGP, also determining the opening of a new exceptional procedure within the framework of the rules introduced by Decree-Law No. 120/2025, of 14 November. This has created the need to define the amount to be paid by the interested parties (essentially, very high voltage and high voltage customers) to those who make available or transfer their unused allocated consumption capacity in the mainland ZGP.

The proposal aims to set the methodology for calculating compensation for the transfer, thus avoiding the publication of new regulation in the event of new exceptional procedures being opened. In addition, the specific compensation for the new mainland ZGP is also set.

Comments from all interested parties are requested by 20 March 2026.

Access the Public Consultation