Portugal to Boost Nigerian LNG Imports to Reduce Reliance on Russia
Portugal plans to expand imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Nigeria and the United States, aiming to eliminate minimal dependence on Russian gas, Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho said. In 2024, Lisbon imported 49,141 GWh of natural gas, 96% of which was LNG. Among them, Nigeria accounts for 51%, the United States accounts for 40%, and Russia accounts for only 4.4%, a decrease of 15% from the 2021 level. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Carvalho said that although Portugal is almost independent of Russian gas, Lisbon intends to further reduce its dependence on Russian gas. She also called for greater EU cooperation on energy security, noting that the Iberian Peninsula faces energy isolation due to challenges in establishing connectivity with France. The Portuguese strategy outlined by Carvalho reflects the EU’s broader efforts to ensure energy independence amid geopolitical tensions.
source: business day
