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During COP30, Lula and Alexandre Silveira Strengthened the Brazil-Portugal Partnership in the Energy and Mining Sectors, Prioritizing Innovation, Green Hydrogen and Billion-Dollar Investments in Sustainability
The energy and mining sectors were the central focus of the meeting between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, with the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro, held on November 7, during the COP30 Leaders’ Summit in Belém (PA).
The dialogue reinforced the bilateral commitment to a secure, inclusive and sustainable energy transition, focusing on technological innovation, efficiency and institutional cooperation between the two countries, according to a report published.
During the meeting, Silveira highlighted that Brazil has advanced significantly in modernizing the electric sector.
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One of the milestones is the renewal, for another 30 years, of the concession of the Portuguese company EDP in Espírito Santo, which ensures the supply of energy to 70 municipalities and benefits approximately 1.7 million consumers.
The new contract provides for investments of around R$ 5 billion by 2030, aimed at digitalizing networks, automating systems, and strengthening energy resilience, essential measures to face the effects of climate change.
The minister also emphasized that the Brazilian government supports long-term initiatives that generate development and stability in supply.
According to him, the goal is to ensure clean and accessible energy for homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses in all regions of the country, based on strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology.
Energy Cooperation and Green Hydrogen as Pillars of the Partnership
Among the priorities of the new agreement is the expansion of cooperation in the field of renewable energies, a prominent topic in the negotiations.
Brazil and Portugal have sought to expand joint projects focused on green hydrogen, biomethane, and smart grids, sectors that are emerging as drivers of the global clean economy.
In the energy field, the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two governments provides for the exchange of technical and institutional knowledge in energy efficiency, energy storage, and clean fuels.
The main focus is to strengthen the transition to a more sustainable matrix, reducing emissions and ensuring supply security.
Silveira emphasized that the energy and mining sectors will be crucial for sustainable growth in the coming decades, highlighting Portugal’s role as a strategic partner in Brazil’s innovation and sustainability agenda.
Sustainable Mining and Digital Technologies at the Center of Cooperation
Another relevant point of the meeting was the deepening of technical cooperation in the mineral sector.
The new Memorandum expands scientific and technological exchange in areas such as geological mapping, exploration of strategic minerals, environmental remediation, and urban mining.
The partnership also prioritizes the use of digital technologies applied to hydrogeology and environmental monitoring, ensuring safer and more sustainable mining.
The minister stressed that the integration between Brazil and Portugal in this area creates opportunities for the development of more efficient production chains aligned with the principles of the green economy.
The energy and mining sectors, according to Silveira, are at the core of the Brazilian government’s sustainable development strategy, which seeks to combine energy security, environmental preservation, and the generation of skilled jobs.
Bilateral Trade and Sustainable Investment Strengthen Economic Ties
In addition to technical cooperation, the meeting highlighted the growing weight of trade relations between Brazil and Portugal.
In 2023, the total flow between the two countries reached US$ 4.8 billion, consolidating Brazil as the seventh largest exporter to the Portuguese market, with highlights for fuels, petroleum derivatives, and agribusiness products.
Portugal, in turn, ranks 20th among the largest direct investors in Brazil and is the 15th destination for Brazilian investments abroad.
These numbers demonstrate the solidity and potential for expansion of bilateral relations, now strengthened by the green agenda and the energy transition.
The dialogue between Lula, Silveira, and Montenegro, held during COP30, indicates that the future of cooperation between Brazil and Portugal will increasingly be linked to the energy and mining sectors, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and concrete results for the populations of both countries.
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