The government has announced two programs to combat energy poverty: “E_Lar”, designed to help vulnerable families replace inefficient household appliances, and “Sustainable Urban Areas”, to promote energy efficiency in vulnerable communities.
In 2023, Portugal was the EU member state with the highest percentage of energy poverty (20.8%). To combat this scenario, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy (Maen) announced a program to support the purchase of more efficient household appliances, called “E_Lar”, and the “Sustainable Urban Areas” program. The initiatives were presented at the beginning of November during the hearing on the State Budget for 2025.
“E_Lar” aims to support the most vulnerable families in the transition from old, inefficient household appliances to more energy-efficient equipment, improving the thermal comfort of homes and promoting the electrification of energy consumption. The idea is not only to simplify and speed up the exchange of end-of-life equipment, but also to ensure that it is correctly sent for recycling.
Inspired by successful international models, this program will make it possible to replace gas appliances such as stoves and water heaters with electric versions, as well as to purchase air conditioning systems.
Although citizens are the beneficiaries of this program, local councils can act as intermediaries.
As for the “Sustainable Urban Areas” program, it will promote energy efficiency in vulnerable communities, such as social housing estates or historic districts.
According to Maria da Graça Carvalho, Minister for the Environment and Energy, the measures may include “thermal insulation of buildings and action in public spaces, including green areas”, she said during the hearing in Parliament. The program will be open to applications from residents’ associations, private social solidarity institutions and municipal housing companies.
According to the minister, each program will have around 50 million euros and will contribute to one of the five major objectives set by Maen for 2025, “investment in climate action and the energy transition”. This objective also includes the creation of the new Climate Agency (responsible for managing the money from the Environmental Fund) and the Mission Structure for Renewable Energies (responsible for optimizing and speeding up the licensing of renewable energy production projects).
The other objectives include the renewal and optimization of water resources, the promotion of ecological restoration and the protection of biodiversity, waste management and the protection of people’s health.
More collection points and initiatives with municipalities were some of the factors that contributed to the increase. Last year, Electrão (electronic waste bins) sent 40%
This artical addresses an action that promotes theinssurance of universal access to affordable, renewable energy for all. SDG 7 also claims to double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
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