World Energy Day, celebrated on May 29, marks a moment of collective awareness about the importance of energy efficiency and the transition to renewable and resilient energy sources. In Portugal, this date has been celebrated since 1981 and invites reflection on the strategic management of energy resources, in a context marked by the climate transition and European goals for 2030. Its origins are associated with the 1979 oil crisis, triggered by political instability in Iran, which caused profound disturbances in international markets and led to an increase of around 150% in the price of a barrel between 1979 and 1981, with significant economic impacts.
Over the last 45 years, the Portuguese energy system has transformed structurally. The country has evolved from a strong dependence on fossil fuels and renewable production limited essentially to hydropower to a more resilient, efficient and diversified system, supported by growing wind and solar production and the integration of digital management technologies. In 2025, the incorporation of renewable energy into the national electrical system reached 75.6%, allowing a reduction of 10.8 MtCO₂eq of greenhouse gas emissions. However, this year was marked by the Iberian blackout of April 28, which affected 60 million people and exposed weaknesses in the redundancy of critical systems such as health, security, mobility, logistics and communications, remembering that energy is today a central factor of social vulnerability and that the energy transition requires robust technical coordination and collective preparation.
The beginning of 2026 brought a new global challenge with a direct impact on energy security. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategic maritime routes on the planet and responsible for the flow of around 20% of the world’s oil, caused an abrupt reduction in supply and an immediate increase of 15% in the price of a barrel, reaching increases of over 40% in moments of greatest tension, even after the release of more than 400 million barrels from global strategic reserves. This episode once again highlighted the vulnerability of countries dependent on energy imports, such as Portugal.
In the Algarve, these challenges take on particular relevance. The region is characterized by high external energy dependence, strong seasonality of consumption and climate vulnerability, factors that make energy resilience even more critical. The commitment to energy efficiency, decentralized production using solar and wind energy, energy communities and intelligent resource management has reinforced the regional response capacity. The blackout of 2025 and the volatility of oil prices in 2026 demonstrated the importance of accelerating local, renewable and robust solutions, essential to protect strategic sectors such as tourism, transport, water and public services.
AREAL – Algarve Regional Energy and Environment Agency has played a decisive role in this journey, promoting energy efficiency projects, supporting the creation of energy communities, encouraging decentralized renewable production, training municipalities and entities and developing energy resilience strategies. In a context marked by external shocks and systemic vulnerabilities, AREAL’s work is essential to support the Algarve in building a safer, more sustainable energy system prepared for emergencies.
The celebration of World Energy Day reminds us that energy is not just a technical resource or one with guaranteed access, but a strategic pillar of society. The energy future of Portugal – and the Algarve in particular – will depend on the ability to consolidate the progress achieved, anticipate risks and build a truly resilient, sustainable and safe system for everyone.
- By Claudio Casimirogeneral director of AREAL – Regional Agency for Energy and Environment of the Algarve and specialist in Energy by the Order of Engineers
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