Author: Carolina Ferreira

On 12 May, in Madrid, the Madrid Declaration was presented, jointly endorsed by the Ibero-American Association of Energy Regulatory Authorities (ARIAE) and RELOP, during the II Joint ARIAE-RELOP International Conference.

The Madrid Declaration marks a new milestone in cooperation between energy regulators from three continents and reaffirms the shared commitment to energy regulation based on institutional independence as a fundamental pillar for a just, safe and sustainable energy transition.

Following on from the Iguaçu Declaration, signed in 2024, this new commitment reinforces the importance of international cooperation, technical training, gender equality and the institutional strengthening of regulators to address the growing challenges facing the energy sector.

The document also highlights the need to ensure that regulators are independent, technically competent and adequately resourced, capable of promoting objective, transparent regulation geared towards consumer protection and the long-term objectives of public policy.

The Madrid Declaration also reaffirms the importance of collaboration between regulatory bodies, the sharing of best practices and the coordination of energy, climate and social policies, contributing to more resilient, efficient and sustainable energy systems.

The Ibero-American Association of Energy Regulators (ARIAE) and the Association of Energy Regulators of Portuguese-speaking Countries (RELOP) held the II Joint ARIAE–RELOP International Conference on 12 May 2026 in Madrid, Spain, under the theme “Regulatory independence as a pillar of the energy transition”.

Organised by Spain’s National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC), the Conference formed part of a week of events promoted by ARIAE between 11 and 14 May, with the active participation of RELOP.

The event followed on from the I Joint Conference held in 2024 at the Itaipu Binacional Hydroelectric Power Station in Foz do Iguaçu, reinforcing the two associations’ commitment to the institutional strengthening of energy regulation.

Throughout the conference, key issues for the future of the energy sector were discussed, notably the promotion of a regulatory culture within society, the strengthening of the independence of regulatory bodies, and raising awareness of gender equality in the energy sector, all within the context of the energy transition and decarbonisation.

Against a backdrop of growing challenges relating to energy security, the affordability of energy prices and the need to accelerate decarbonisation, the importance of independent regulators, technically competent and adequately resourced, was highlighted as essential to ensuring objective, transparent regulation geared towards consumer protection.

The Conference also emphasised the need to promote robust institutional frameworks capable of supporting continued investment in technical training, digitalisation, cybersecurity and the modernisation of regulatory processes, thereby enabling the sector to keep pace with technological developments and the integration of sustainable energy solutions.

RELOP’s Energy Transition Working Group hosted a seminar focused on the theme “Sustainable Mobility in the Energy Transition: from Regulation to Operation” on 13 May 2026 in Madrid, Spain.

The initiative was part of a week of events promoted by the Ibero-American Association of Energy Regulators (ARIAE), organised by Spain’s National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) between 11 and 14 May, with the participation of RELOP.

The seminar brought together experts, regulators, representatives from academia and stakeholders from the energy and transport sectors, who discussed the main challenges associated with the energy transition as it relates to sustainable mobility.

Throughout the morning, strategic topics were addressed, such as the electrification of transport, the adaptation of energy networks to new demand, regulatory and licensing models, the impact on tariffs, the financing of the energy transition, and the integration of storage and data intelligence solutions into charging infrastructure, with contributions from:

• Vladimiro Miranda – INESC TEC;
• Isabel Apolinário – ERSE;
• Alexandre Santos – Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) of Portugal;
• Nivalde de Castro – Electricity Sector Study Group (GESEL);
• Among others.

The initiative prompted a wide-ranging discussion on the current state of sustainable mobility and helped to identify solutions aimed at strengthening the resilience, efficiency and sustainability of energy systems.

On 12 March, the Energy Transition Working Group organised a workshop focused on the theme of “Energy Transition & Impact on the End Consumer.”

The event featured an opening session presented by Fernando Martins (Coordinator of the Energy Transition Working Group) from ENSE, and Renata Scotti (Co-coordinator of the Energy Transition Working Group) from ANEEL, who emphasised how essential it is to reflect on the direct impact that the energy transition has on the end consumer, especially at a time when it is emerging as one of the main economic, environmental and social challenges.

Between decarbonisation, the electrification of consumption, the diversification of energy sources and the evolution of the regulatory framework, there is a proliferation of changes influencing prices, technological choices and consumption patterns.

The workshop brought together two international experts to discuss the topic, with two presentations:

• The Energy Transition and the Consumer’s New Role in the Balance of the Electricity System – Pedro Moura, Professor at the Institute of Systems and Robotics at University of Coimbra (Portugal)
• A Fair and Inclusive Energy Transition and Transformation – Graziella Albuquerque, Director of Revolusolar (Brazil)

During the session, Professor Pedro Moura, from the University of Coimbra, explained that the electricity system is shifting from a centralised model to a decentralised one, with millions of distributed resources. This change requires greater flexibility and alters the balance of the system, which now also depends on consumers’ decisions.

It was also highlighted that, in the future, energy costs may focus more on the power used (kW) than on the energy consumed (kWh), reflecting the challenges of grid management and the integration of renewables.

The workshop also addressed the social dimension of the energy transition, with a focus on the case of Brazil. Despite the growth of renewable energy, challenges such as energy poverty, high costs and unequal access persist. Community solar projects have demonstrated a positive impact through cost reduction, local job creation and social inclusion.

These initiatives include the training of residents, the establishment of cooperatives, and sustainable energy management models. The direct involvement of residents ensures adhesion and a sense of belonging, with community participation being essential to the success and sustainability of the projects. Organisations have also been incorporating concerns regarding digital connectivity, promoting the responsible use of the internet through decisions developed in consultation with the communities themselves.

The main challenges identified relate to scale, funding and policy framework. It was also emphasised that, even without access to technologies such as solar photovoltaics, consumers can play an active role through energy efficiency and consumption management, helping to reduce costs and alleviate energy poverty.

This workshop provided a space for discussion and exchange on how the changes brought about by the energy transition are redefining the role of the consumer within the energy system, as well as the opportunities, risks and safeguards that this entails, and the different ways in which this is manifesting itself across various countries. Participants highlighted that the success of the energy transition will depend not only on technological innovation, but also on effective regulation, appropriate incentives and an inclusive approach that actively involves consumers.

On 23 January 2026, RELOP’s Energy Transition Working Group held its first workshop of 2026, with a focus on the theme of “Resilience of Energy Systems in the Face of Extreme Events”.

The session highlighted that energy resilience is now a structural challenge, in a context where energy systems are increasingly exposed to severe weather events, increased operational risks and new digital vulnerabilities.

On behalf of the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE), Miguel Alves emphasised that the concept of resilience goes beyond the traditional notion of reliability, incorporating dimensions such as anticipation, robustness, responsiveness and sustainable recovery. The debate on technical solutions, including overhead versus underground networks, storage, interconnections and service quality, highlighted the direct impact of these options on consumers and the tariff structure.

Providing a Brazilian regulatory perspective, Alex Almeida Pignatti (CPFL Energia) presented the main developments resulting from ANEEL’s recent regulatory review, which reinforces requirements for contingency plans, financial compensation mechanisms and transparent communication with consumers. In addition, the operational experience of the CPFL Energia group provided a practical insight into responding to extreme events, highlighting the role of automation, integrated operation centres and continuous investment in network robustness.

The importance of energy security was also highlighted by Tiago Silva, from the National Energy Sector Entity (ENSE), who emphasised the importance of monitoring reserves, market supervision and institutional coordination. In a context of growing international instability and pressure on supply chains, these pillars are essential to ensure the continuity of electricity, natural gas and fuel supplies.

The workshop reaffirmed the importance of an integrated approach to the resilience of energy systems, based on regulatory cooperation, the sharing of good practices and the alignment of public policies, regulatory frameworks and technical decisions. Strengthening resilience is now a key element in ensuring energy security, consumer protection and the sustainability of the energy transition in CPLP countries.

On 24 November, the Energy Transition Working Group (GTE) of RELOP – Association of Energy Regulators of Portuguese-speaking Countries – organised an online workshop, focusing on the theme ‘New Legal Framework for Electric Mobility’.

The session had presentations from representatives from ERSE and ENSE, from Portugal, who shared their approaches to the regulatory adaptation of electric mobility within the new legal framework, in particular the new rules and those necessary for the transition between the two models.

During the workshop, the importance of consolidating Lusophone cooperation was reinforced, as well as investing in innovative solutions that ensure a smooth transition between models and promote more sustainable, efficient and safer mobility.

José Bigares, from ERSE’s Infrastructure and Networks Directorate, presented the regulations of the new legal regime for electric mobility, in particular Decree-Law No. 93/2025 of 14 August. His presentation focused on the main changes in the new legal framework for electric mobility. He highlighted the strengthening of the role of Charging Point Operators, the creation of mobility service providers and the data aggregator, bringing greater efficiency and simplicity to the relationship with users.

Next, Emanuel Delgado, Head of the Inspection Department, and Fernando Martins, Head of the Control and Prevention Unit at ENSE, presented the Portuguese model for electric mobility, focusing on operation, inspection and transparency. Fernando Martins highlighted the transformation of the sector over the last 15 years: from a centralised model to a more open, flexible and competitive market. The end of the specific marketer, ad hoc charging and the integration of solutions such as self-consumption, storage and smart charging promise a more intuitive experience and lower operating costs. Emanuel Delgado presented ENSE’s enforcement application, which has already enabled more than 375 actions since 2020, contributing to greater alignment of the sector with legal requirements.

The presentation of the electric mobility operational model in Portugal — including field operations, the national register of charging points, ENSE’s inspection checklist and real-life cases — highlighted how digital tools, robust processes and effective regulation are essential to ensure transparency, trust and resilience in a rapidly growing sector.

The workshop ended with a rich debate on licensing, tariffs, network quality and social inclusion, reinforcing the role of Lusophone cooperation in building a solid regulatory framework for a fair and sustainable energy transition.

On the 24th of October 2025, RELOP’s XXII General Assembly took place, in Maputo, Mozambique, and had the presence of 30 members.

The meeting began with an opening statement, in which the President of the General Assembly, Paulo da Graça, welcomed all participants and proceeded with the approval of the agenda.

The main projects underway were the first items to be discussed, with the Executive Director presenting the ARME training project, the EU-Angola Dialogues programme, and the preparatory work for RELOP’s first participation in the World Forum of Energy Regulators (WFER).

The RELOP secretariat then presented the new Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, as well as the process of its preparation, which involved contributions from all RELOP members. The Activity Plan and Budget for 2026 were also presented. Both documents were unanimously approved by the members present.

The last item on the agenda was the election of the new governing bodies of RELOP, which will take up their responsibilities on the 1st of January 2026.