Portugal raises R&D funding while gas operator warns of investment limits

Portugal reported a record €5.584 billion investment in research and development for 2025, equal to 1.82 % of its GDP and up €564 million from the previous year. This marks the second consecutive year the country’s R&D spending exceeded €5 billion, though it remains below the EU average and the national target of 3 % of GDP by 2030. Companies accounted for roughly 64 % of the total spend, highlighting a shift toward private‑sector financing of science and innovation.

Separately, Portuguese gas distribution operator Floene cautioned that overly restricting investment in the gas network could raise costs for gas and electricity consumers and hinder decarbonisation efforts. The regulator ERSE has opened a public consultation on a €406.8 million investment plan for 2027‑2031 submitted by the 11 gas‑distribution operators. Floene argues that the existing gas infrastructure is a strategic asset capable of transporting renewable gases and should complement, not be replaced by, electricity‑only solutions.