Portugal is planning to increase its imports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Nigeria and the United States, aiming to cut down on already reduced supplies from Russia. This was announced by the country’s Environment Minister, Maria da Graca Carvalho, during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
According to data from REN, Portugal’s electricity and gas grid operator, the country imported 49,141 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of natural gas in 2024. Of this, about 96 per cent came as LNG, with Nigeria supplying 51 per cent, the United States 40 per cent, and Russia just 4.4 per cent.
In 2021, Russia accounted for 15 per cent of Portugal’s LNG supply. However, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union (EU) imposed sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports through pipelines, while allowing LNG imports via ships.
Moving Towards Energy Independence
“Portugal is now almost free of Russian gas, but we aim to further reduce this figure by increasing imports from Nigeria and the US,” Carvalho said. She also called for stronger cooperation within the EU to ensure energy security.
She noted that the Iberian Peninsula, which includes Portugal and Spain, is still considered an “energy island” because of limited connections with France.
Nigeria’s Role in European Energy
After the war in Ukraine began, many European delegations visited Nigeria to explore the possibility of increasing gas exports to the continent. Nigeria, a significant LNG supplier, is seen as a key partner in Europe’s push for energy security.
The shift in LNG sourcing highlights Europe’s broader effort to diversify energy supplies and reduce reliance on Russian resources.