Portugal set to inject renewable gases including hydrogen into national grid by 2028

Lisbon: Portugal gears up for a significant shift in its energy landscape, as the national grid operator, Redes Energeticas Nacionais (REN), announces plans to start injecting renewable biomethane and hydrogen into the national gas grid within the next 36 months, following the successful completion of the country’s first renewable gas auction.

Portugal is on the brink of a major energy transformation with the initiation of renewable gas injections into its National Gas System (SNG) planned within the next 36 months. This development follows the successful conclusion of Portugal’s first auction for renewable gases, including biomethane and hydrogen, which was organized with financial backing from the Environmental Fund.

The auction, which allocated a total of 1,990 MWh/year of biomethane at a rate of €62 per MWh and 119,280 MWh/year of renewable hydrogen at €127 per MWh, signifies a pivotal moment in Portugal’s commitment to decarbonization. This initiative aligns with the Portuguese Government’s broader decarbonization goals and is supported by the European Union’s energy policies.

Redes Energeticas Nacionais (REN), the national grid operator, has been instrumental in preparing for this shift. Since 2022, REN has been actively working on the H2REN Programme, which achieved a significant milestone in 2024 by certifying all its infrastructure for the transport, distribution, and storage of hydrogen-gas mixtures. This certification, conducted by Bureau Veritas, verified that REN’s systems are equipped to handle hydrogen and gas mixtures of up to 10% in the National Gas Transmission Network (RNTG) and up to 20% in the National Gas Distribution Network (RNDG).

These efforts underscore the strategic importance of decarbonizing the gas infrastructure, a key objective of Portuguese energy policy. By adapting existing infrastructures and developing new ones specifically for hydrogen, REN aims to facilitate the transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.

This auction not only supports the direct injection of renewable gases into the SNG but also ensures their integration into the broader transmission and distribution networks, managed by REN and Floene, respectively. The awarded contracts are crucial for maintaining the momentum towards achieving a sustainable and resilient energy future in Portugal, reflecting the nation’s proactive approach to embracing renewable energy technologies and reducing carbon emissions in line with EU directives.

Portugal gears up for a significant shift in its energy landscape, as the national grid operator, Redes Energeticas Nacionais (REN), announces plans to start injecting renewable biomethane and hydrogen into the national gas grid within the next 36 months, following the successful completion of the country’s first renewable gas auction.