Portugal must seek energy and water independence, minister says

Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho told a parliamentary committee on national resilience that Portugal must become more self-sufficient in energy and water, citing an unpredictable geostrategic situation. She said Portugal is already largely independent in renewable electricity but needs progress on liquid fuels for transport, through electrification and renewable fuel production. On water, she called for balancing retention with natural flow, warning that excessive retention causes problems such as beach sand loss and salinisation. The hearing also reviewed the impact of recent bad weather and the government's response.