05/02/2026

ERSE - Energy Services Regulatory Authority is today consulting stakeholders on a set of additional extraordinary measures for electricity and gas aimed to protecting energy customers and consumers in the municipalities affected by Storm Kristin.

Following an initial package of measures approved on 4 February, ERSE is now submitting for urgent consultation with suppliers, network operators and customer representative associations a set of additional measures to protect affected customers and consumers.

Storm Kristin was an exceptionally severe weather event which caused loss of life and significant damage to homes, critical infrastructure, public facilities, businesses and social institutions in parts of Portugal.

In this regard, and in parallel with the work being carried out by network operators to restore the service, ERSE proposes to establish extraordinary rules relating to the following matters within the scope of its powers:

a.       Preventing the interruption of electricity and gas supplies;

b.       Preventing the billing of contracted power;

c.       Establishing instalment payment plans;

d.       Exemption from the obligations of suppliers to network operators and the Integrated Collateral Manager;

e.       The creation of special rules regarding billing variables adjusted to the situation, on terms more favourable to affected consumers.

This set of measures has now been submitted for consultation with interested parties and will be approved by ERSE in the form of specific regulations in the short term, following consideration of the comments received.