11/02/2026

ERSE – the Energy Services Regulatory Authority – is today launching a Public Consultation on the guiding document for the future Regulatory Impact Assessment Methodologies, which will frame its decision-making processes.

As the regulatory authority for the energy sector, ERSE places particular emphasis on transparency, accountability and the independence of its decision-making processes, thereby reaffirming its commitment to continuously strengthening its methods of analysis, justification and stakeholder consultation.

This effort is part of a broader global movement to reinforce the need for ex ante and ex post assessment of the impacts that decisions produce in key areas of the economy, society and the environment. It also reflects the increasing legislative densification underway in Europe and worldwide regarding impact assessment requirements.

The development of these methodologies benefited from the collaboration of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as well as from technical and financial support provided by the European Commission’s Technical Support Instrument. The document was prepared by the OECD, both in its original English version and in the Portuguese translation, and is now being submitted for Public Consultation.

The development of this work involved ERSE at all stages and will be followed by the adaptation and operationalisation of the procedures by ERSE’s organisational units, in order to ensure their full suitability to the Portuguese energy sector and to current regulatory practices.

The importance of consulting different stakeholders lies in the opportunity to improve the instruments already designed, through contributions capable of enriching an open reflection accessible to all those with an interest in the energy sector, given its cross-cutting nature.

i)        Within the scope of this Public Consultation, ERSE is making three documents available:
The Regulatory Impact Assessment Methodologies (in English and Portuguese versions);

ii)       The background document, which provides a summary of the methodologies and contextualises their structure, objectives and methods.

Following the Public Consultation, ERSE will publish a report on the contributions received, how they were considered, and the impact they will have on subsequent work concerning the detailed development and practical implementation of the internal impact assessment procedures to be established as working methods.

Through this initiative, ERSE reinforces its commitment to effective and constructive communication with stakeholders in energy regulation matters — consumers, companies and other actors — promoting energy literacy and encouraging their role as observers and active participants in the future of the sector.

Interested parties may submit their contributions, comments or suggestions until 13 of March 2026, by email to  consultapublica@erse.pt, or by post to:

- Rua Dom Cristóvão da Gama, no. 1, 3rd floor1400-113 Lisbon.

Access the Public Consultation