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Portuguese Prime Minister Shares "Secrets of Success" in Renewable Energy
José Sócrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa, Prime Minister of Portugal, hailed his country's progress in developing renewable energy in a lecture on September 23. The lecture was co-sponsored by SIPA and the World Leaders Forum.
The prime minister described Portugal's rapid transition from fossil fuels to energy sources such as wind, solar power, and hydropower. Renewable energy now provides 45 percent of Portugal's electricity, up from 17 percent in 2005, he said.
Sócrates said that Portugal's success depends on a clear strategy that appeals to citizens and businesses. Switching to renewable energy reduces dependence on foreign oil, reduces climate change and creates jobs, he said. Trade benefits include exporting electricity and reducing fossil fuel imports by 100 million euros per year.
"I am very well convinced that energy is one of the driving forces of the new economy of this century," he said.
Watch a video of Sócrates' lecture from the World Leaders Forum. 
In his introduction of the prime minister, Dean John H. Coatsworth noted that Manuel Pinho, his former minister of the economy and innovation, played a key role in the transformation. Pinho is a visiting professor at SIPA this year.
Portugal has set more ambitious goals for the next decade. By 2020, the country plans to generate 60 percent of its electricity from renewable sources and increase energy efficiency by 20 percent. It plans to double its wind power generation, increase solar power by about 60 percent and develop new ways to generate electricity from tidal flows.
Portugal is also planning a transition to electric vehicles, which will improve energy conservation and quality of life, Sócrates said.
"Building the electric car will change the atmosphere and the landscape of our cities," he predicted.
The prime minister took questions from the audience on issues including renewable energy, drug policy, higher education, emigration and nuclear power. He expressed skepticism about nuclear power as a solution to climate change, asserting that nuclear power plants take 20 years to plan and build.
"We don't have 20 years," he said.
Tim Shenk, 09/28/2010