From a traditional point of view, Portugal is not a particularly rich country in what concerns the availability of energy resources – does not possess neither nuclear capabilities nor fossil fuel reserves that allow an economically viable exploration. However, with the great development that has been observed, during recent years, in the technologies for exploring renewable energy resources, the country’s future perspectives are extremely favourable. In fact, Portugal possesses privileged conditions for exploring several renewable energy sources – relatively strong and constant winds; relatively wide hydrographic network; great solar exposure; wide maritime front.

Within the EU outline, Portugal is one of the countries with most ambitious objectives in what concerns the use of renewable energy sources (3^rd place in EU-15) – in 2010, 39% of the electricity produced from renewable sources; 5.75% use of biofuels in transports. The Government has defined even higher targets – 45% and 10%, respectively. In the EU objectives for 2020, Portugal is the 5^th country (EU-27) with the most ambitious goals – 31% of the gross energy consumption; 60% of electricity production – only surpassed by countries with a long tradition on the use of renewable energies.

The National Strategy for Energy, beyond encompassing supply security – decrease on the external dependence and promotion of energy diversification – and environmental suitability – reduction of greenhouse gases emissions – also predicts the promotion of the economic competitiveness by supporting the development of equipment and service supply industries and by providing incentives to innovation, as a way to create new companies and specialised jobs. It is worth pointing out that Portugal’s energy dependence presents a steep and constant decrease from 2004 onwards and reaching, in 2008, the levels registered in the beginning of the last decade of the 20^th century.

Is therefore predictable that the Portuguese market of Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency continues to grow considerably during the next decade, not only on the demand side (e.g. 400% increase in the use of wind power for electricity production; governmental programs for the investment support, both for companies and private persons; National Program of High Hydroelectric Potential Dams), but also on the supply side (e.g. creation of technologic and investment clusters associated to wind energy, solar energy, wave energy, electric vehicles and smart grids; pilot area for commercial and demonstrative projects for the wave energy segment).

Also in the external domain, Portugal is in a privileged position. The EU membership, associated to the tight economic and political ties that the country has with the Portuguese-speaking countries – in which, for their potential, Brazil and Angola stand out – convert Portugal into a singular platform for investment fluxes between these geographical spaces, which can also be used by companies working on the sector of Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency.

RENEXPO® Portugal will be the first integrated event exclusively dedicated to the sector of Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency to be held in the country. Encompassing a trade fair and several conferences, aims to become a reference for technological spread and for debating and defining strategies for the future. Gathering all the relevant actors within the sector of Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency – companies, private persons, public entities, associations and experts - RENEXPO® Portugal will therefore be a fundamental platform for companies that wish to explore this fast growing market; and a space for reflexion and discussion that will help to define successful strategies.