Author: Ana Filipa Santos

On March 24, 2025, the third workshop was held as part of the activities of the RELOP Energy Transition Working Group, under the theme “Energy Audits and Smart Technologies: How to Optimize and Reduce Energy Consumption.” The event aimed to promote the exchange of experiences and stimulate debate on legislation and some technical aspects of energy audits, particularly between Brazil and Portugal.

The session was attended by 40 representatives from different organizations in the member countries and was moderated by Fernando Martins, Head of the Control and Prevention Unit at ENSE, who led the discussions throughout the afternoon.

The first presentation was given by Douglas Caldas da Silva, Deputy Coordinator of the Energy Efficiency Program at ANEEL (Brazil), who addressed the topic “Energy Transition of the Energy System”, highlighting Brazil’s path over more than 25 years of experience in energy efficiency. According to the speaker, around 20% of investments in this area are allocated to government programs, and 50% of energy efficiency projects are directed toward the two largest consumption classes. In this context, more than 5,000 energy efficiency projects have already been implemented, resulting in an annual 0.5% reduction in the country’s energy consumption. The speaker also emphasized the importance of cost-benefit analysis in project selection, with a set limit of 0.8 ensuring that only economically advantageous initiatives—where benefits outweigh costs—are implemented.

To validate the achieved results, since 2013, a Measurement and Verification (M&V) methodology has been implemented, accompanied by a guide and measurement and verification plan. As the next step, Douglas Caldas da Silva highlighted the need to strengthen the monitoring and verification of already completed projects to ensure continuous tracking of results over time.

The next presentation was by Paulo Santos, an experienced auditor at ContaWatt, who discussed “Energy Audits – Technical and Regulatory Analysis of the Portuguese Case.” He first emphasized the importance of energy audits as a tool for energy management. The speaker highlighted the definition of an energy audit according to the ISO 50002:2014 standard, reinforcing its essential role in identifying energy efficiency opportunities. In this context, he also addressed the legislation related to energy audits, emphasizing the need for compliance with regulations to ensure sector efficiency and sustainability.

Paulo Santos also presented the main phases of conducting an energy audit, starting with the preparation phase, in which the audit plan is defined and preliminary data is collected; the on-site intervention, where data collection and field measurements are carried out; the data processing phase, which involves analyzing energy consumption and identifying improvement opportunities; and finally, the audit report development, where conclusions and recommendations are presented.

The speaker also emphasized the importance of developing the Energy Rationalization Plan (PREN), which systematizes the measures and targets to be achieved to optimize the energy performance of organizations.

The workshop provided a valuable opportunity for experience and knowledge sharing, reinforcing RELOP’s commitment to promoting energy efficiency and the adoption of smart technologies in its member countries.

21st General Assembly of RELOP Approves the 2024 Activity and Accounts Report

The association’s members met virtually on March 20 to discuss and approve key topics for the organization in 2025.

The meeting began with the presentation of the 2024 Activity and Accounts Report, which was unanimously approved.

Next, ENSE presented to the members the Terms of Reference for the RELOP Exchange Program 01/24, aimed at integrating two specialist technicians from member organizations into a pipeline inspection activity under their management in 2025.

ANEEL shared the initiatives it has been developing for the training and capacity-building of professionals and consumers, highlighting its openness to involving other Association members in this initiative.

RELOP’s Working Groups presented their 2025 Activity Plans, outlining the main actions planned for the upcoming year.

Finally, the session concluded with a joint presentation by ARENE and INP, who introduced their proposal to host RELOP’s annual events in 2025. Under the theme “Regulating for the Energy Sustainability of CPLP Countries” the RELOP Annual Conference will take place in Maputo in November 2025.

The second edition of the publication follows the CPLP Energy and Climate Seminars is now available.

Dedicated to the 2nd and 3rd Energy and Climate Seminar of the CPLP and featuring a special section on COP29, the second edition of the Energy and Climate in the CPLP magazine brings together different articles on energy transition and climate finance in the CPLP Member States.

This edition highlights pathways to sustainability and energy transition in Portuguese-speaking countries, exploring how the use of Climate Funds and Carbon Markets can help these nations overcome financial challenges and reach their energy potential, driving economic and social development.

RELOP contributed two articles to this edition: “Perspectives for COP29 and Key Conclusions from the G20 Energy Transition Working Groups” and “A Favorable Framework for Financing the Energy Transition”, which summarize two panels from the 2nd CPLP Energy and Climate Seminar.

The Energy and Climate in the CPLP magazine is edited and published by ALER, with contributions from RELOP and other partners.

On February 24, 2025, the second workshop took place as part of the activities of the RELOP Energy Transition Working Group, under the theme “Energy Efficiency: Challenges and Pathways for Informed Decisions” The event aimed to promote experience sharing and stimulate debate on key challenges and solutions in the field of energy efficiency.

The session was attended by 40 representatives from the 12 entities that make up RELOP and was moderated by Fernando Martins, Head of the Control and Prevention Unit at ENSE, who led the discussions throughout the afternoon.

The first presentation was delivered by Miguel Alves, from the Infrastructure and Networks Directorate of ERSE (Portugal), who addressed the topic “Energy Transition of the Energy System.” He provided a global overview of the International Energy Agency’s scenarios for electricity sector emissions, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that integrates different energy vectors, infrastructures, and consumption sectors. He highlighted the significant growth of renewable gases over the past 20 years, particularly in supporting electricity production. He also mentioned the evolution of self-consumption in Portugal, which accounted for 2.8% of national consumption in 2023, a trend driven by incentives and the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) 2030.

Next, Sérgio Moreno, Director of Efficiency and Technology at Mozambique’s Energy Regulatory Authority (ARENE), discussed the “Challenges of Energy Efficiency Regulation in Mozambique”, focusing on the sustainable use of biomass. He emphasized the implementation of new legal frameworks to promote energy efficiency, drive a fair energy transition, and expand electrification in new regions.

Finally, Professor Aníbal Traça de Almeida, Director of the Institute of Systems and Robotics at the University of Coimbra, presented a practical case study on “Developing a National Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan for Mozambique.” The study analyzed the country’s economy, consumption needs, and energy sources, revealing a 10% annual growth in energy consumption, particularly in the tertiary sector, linked to commerce, services, and tourism. More than 40 energy-saving measures were identified to moderate demand growth without compromising the quality of life of building users.

One of the key takeaways from the workshop was the importance of prioritizing energy efficiency policies before investing in new energy sources. Rational resource use will enable a more effective and faster transition, ensuring both economic and environmental benefits in the short and long term.

The 38th issue of infoRELOP, released at the end of January, marks a new phase for RELOP’s newsletter. With a fresh visual identity, the monthly publication begins 2025 with a renewed design aligned with communication trends.

The year 2024 was marked by significant growth for infoRELOP, both in audience and impact. Over the course of 13 issues, the publication closely followed key events in the energy sector and regulatory developments in Portuguese-speaking countries.

For 2025, RELOP reaffirms its commitment to inform and connect its members and audience with the latest updates in the Lusophone energy sector. Monthly and special issues will continue to provide analyses, trends, and valuable information for subscribers.

On January 27, the first workshop of the RELOP ‘s Energy Transition Working Group was held, focusing on the theme “Impact of Non-Technical Losses on the Energy Transition.”

Coordinated by ENSE, this working group represents a significant step toward addressing energy transition challenges by fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration among entities from the six RELOP member countries: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

The event gathered 68 representatives from various organizations who shared perspectives on the impact of non-technical losses in energy systems. Victor Oliveira, from ANEEL, highlighted that a significant portion of non-technical losses occurs in northern Brazil, emphasizing the need for behavioral changes combined with public security measures and service normalization. E-REDES, an external guest speaker and Portugal’s Distribution Network Operator, addressed challenges in revenue assurance, detailing strategies such as detecting irregularities, alarm-based monitoring, planning and conducting inspections, and result analysis.

Additionally, the role of smart meters was discussed as a promising solution to reduce non-technical losses by enabling faster and more concrete identification of potential energy fraud. However, it was also noted that this technology may create new vulnerabilities, reinforcing the need for constant and comprehensive monitoring throughout the energy sector, from generation to the end consumer.

Energy misappropriation is a critical issue for the energy sector, posing a significant obstacle to transitioning toward a more sustainable energy matrix. Addressing this challenge requires innovative and integrated solutions to achieve global energy efficiency and sustainability goals.

Throughout 2025, the Working Group will hold seven online workshops exclusive to RELOP members and one public online workshop. These sessions will cover various topics related to energy transition, including public policies, energy efficiency, and social inclusion, fostering broad discussions and promoting a holistic view of the transition’s multiple dimensions.

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“May the year 2025 bring even more opportunities for growth, collaboration, engagement, and innovation to RELOP and all its members. And may we continue to advance together in promoting sustainable and effective guidelines that contribute to building a safer, renewable, clean, and resilient energy future.“

— Sandoval Feitosa
(President of RELOP)

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The RELOP Activities Plan 2025 outlines RELOP’s actions for this year, aligned with its strategic plan for 2022–2025, which was presented at a particularly challenging period, in a global context of major challenges, such as decarbonisation, but also of great instability of multifaceted origins with global public health challenges, regional conflicts and high energy prices, with profound consequences for all sectors of the society.

The Activities Plan 2025 focuses on the continuous strengthening of our Association, both internally and in its external projection and co-operation.

As the previous Plans, it is organized in three pillars:

• Internal activities
• External activities
• Communication

The Activities Plan for 2025 is the most ambitious ever presented, with a total of 20 activities, including trainings, organisation and participation in both online and presential events, collaboration with entities such as ALSF, ARIAE and ICER, among others.

This document also reflects RELOP’s commitment to the CPLP, actively participating in the organisation of the Energy and Climate Seminars and the 2nd CPLP Energy Conference.ergia e Clima e da II Conferência de Energia da CPLP.

Applications for the 2025 Maria Cristina Portugal Award are now open!

The 2025 edition of the Maria Cristina Portugal Award (PMCP), promoted by RELOP, seeks to honor the best technical article dedicated to “Energy Sustainability.” The goal is to recognise and reward scientific texts or articles authored by professionals from RELOP member organisations.

Objectives of the Award

The competition aims to stimulate the production, dissemination, and recognition of scientific literature in Portuguese, relevant to the sector. It also seeks to strengthen the exchange of knowledge and innovative practices among professionals.

Eligibility Criteria

Language: The texts must be written in Portuguese.

Therefore, to know more information consult this article in portuguese.

Maria Cristina Portugal, lawyer by education, held positions of merit in the energy sector in the past years. Maria passed away on September 8th of 2021.

Maria Cristina was the President of the Board of Directors for the Energy Services Regulatory Authority in Portugal – ERSE, since 2017, where she also held positions such as Member of the ERSE Board of Directors and President of the Tariff Council for 15 years.

Before stepping into her roles at ERSE, Maria Cristina was Vice-President of the Consumers Institute and also took on the role of Member of the European Commission’s expert network for a Common Framework of Reference in European Contract Law, where she previously held the position of technical advisor and Member for the Reform of Consumer Law and the Consumer Code; before that, she was a member of the Lisbon District Council of the Portuguese Bar Association.

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