As part of the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, under the theme “Collaboration for the Smart Era”, the Ministers of Energy of Spain and Portugal, Sara Aagesen and Maria Da Graça Carvalho, held a key meeting to deepen collaboration in renewable energies.

As they shared on their LinkedIn profiles, they discussed common goals such as transitioning to a cleaner and more efficient energy system, emphasising the need to coordinate strategic actions to establish the Iberian Peninsula as a leader in Europe.

Helena Oliveira, a Portuguese researcher with extensive experience in renewable energies, and Alicia Carrasco, CEO of olivoENERGY, agreed that the opportunities to grow as the “energy island” they are labelled as, are broad and highly relevant.

In a conversation with Energía Estratégica España, Oliveira highlighted the importance of planning together to address shared technical and economic challenges.

According to the researcher, “common objectives must take into account the security of the interconnected system, the flexibility of its flow, and cost minimisation.”

In her view, the increasing electrification of demand will alter energy operations in the coming decades.

“All signs point to significant growth in storage,” she emphasises, noting that this evolution will require innovative solutions and modernised networks.

Among the sectors facing the greatest challenges, the Portuguese specialist mentions transport and points out that “choosing an electric vehicle is still more complex than installing solar panels on a roof.”

In this regard, collaboration between both countries could be crucial for developing infrastructure such as charging stations and promoting the adoption of clean mobility technologies.

Renewable Hydrogen and Network Modernisation

Green hydrogen is emerging as one of the main pillars of Iberian cooperation.

Oliveira stresses that Portugal could greatly benefit from a joint plan with Spain to produce and distribute this resource, leveraging synergies between both markets.

“Production and distribution agreements need to be worked on together. Portugal can offer advantages to Spanish companies and guarantee real benefits for the professionals involved,” she comments.

Meanwhile, Alicia Carrasco notes that a coordinated approach would optimise hydrogen infrastructure and encourage consumption closer to generation centres.

“Working on shared topics together brings opportunities for investors, improves infrastructure coordination, and fosters the modernisation of electricity networks,” she describes.

She also considers that Spain and Portugal are in a privileged position as an “energy island” within Europe, with abundant renewable resources. In this sense, she emphasises that “the Iberian Peninsula has the potential to become a green industrial hub, attracting investments and promoting a more competitive economy.”

According to the CEO of olivoENERGY, it is crucial to accelerate investments and adopt agile regulation to facilitate the energy transition.

Finally, both experts agreed that the modernisation of electrical networks and the implementation of new storage technologies will be essential to ensure the flexibility and security of the system.

“The different endpoints of the system need to communicate through an accessible and flexible network,” concludes Oliveira, while Carrasco insists on the importance of fostering the integration of electricity sector companies with investors, noting that this would be a crucial step to accelerate the necessary developments.

Collaboration between Spain and Portugal in renewable energies not only strengthens the energy security of the Iberian Peninsula but also positions both countries as leaders in Europe’s energy transition.