A REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais activated today the Action Plan for Emergency and Crisis Situations (PASEC), proactively mobilizing teams and operational resources to respond to potential incidents triggered by worsening weather conditions.
To Lusa, an official source from the company that manages the national electric grid said that the plan aims to ensure a rapid and effective response to potential incidents, with coordination reinforced with the Distribution Network Operator, the Spanish Red Eléctrica and Enagás, as well as with other sector players.
This coordination aims to ensure redundancies and increase the levels of supply security, REN said.
Besides REN, an official EDP source told Lusa that the company strengthened prevention and safety measures and activated on Monday the emergency operational protocols in the different business areas to ensure the continuity of critical operations and the ability to respond on the ground.
The electricity company also said it is monitoring the evolution of the weather conditions, through different forecast models and in close coordination with the competent authorities.
In the most affected areas, and in line with the authorities’ guidance and recommendations, workplaces will be closed, except for roles where physical presence is indispensable, explained the same EDP source.
Both REN and EDP said they were still monitoring the evolution of the situation in coordination with the competent authorities.
Continental Portugal is in a state of alert from 00:00 to 23:59 on Wednesday, due to the possible worsening of the weather with the arrival of Depression Charles, with Lisbon, Leiria, Setúbal, Beja and Faro expected to be the most affected regions.
The Government decided to close schools and non-essential public services in all districts, with authorities admitting the closure of bridges and restrictions on air traffic.
According to the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), there is a forecast of “periods of heavy rain or showers, strong winds, with gusts reaching 120 kilometres per hour and, in the event of the formation of the ‘sting jet’ phenomenon (an air current that rapidly descends inside an extratropical cyclone, accelerating toward the surface), exceeding 150 kilometres per hour.”
Red weather alerts (the highest level) were issued for the mainland, for Wednesday, and also for Madeira, starting tonight. On the archipelago, schools will be closed in the morning.
