The availability and management of natural resources have historically influenced economic development. In a recent study, Sofia Teives Henriques (THEOMET), together with Paul Sharp (USouthern Denmark), delves into this theme for Portugal, examining how the nation’s lack of coal resources and delayed development of hydropower contributed to its divergence from the European core from the mid-19th century until World War II.
The research explores the energy landscape in Portugal from the age of steam to the age of electricity, identifying how reliance on expensive coal imports and substantial barriers to internal energy distribution stifled industrial growth before World War I. Industrial activity was predominantly confined to the coastal cities of Lisbon and Porto, where energy was slightly more accessible. This led to regionally unbalanced growth.
In this work, Sofia highlights the stark contrast between Portugal and other coal-poor European countries, like Italy or Sweden, which effectively harnessed hydropower and converged with European leader economies. The study attributes Portugal’s delayed and inadequate development of hydropower infrastructure to a complex interplay of institutional, geographical, and financial constraints, setting the economy on a path of reliance on small-scale coal-based technologies and inhibiting adaptation to more efficient and cost-effective alternatives.
In another related article, this time with Laura Felício (IST-UL), Zeus Guevara (Tecnologico de Monterey), and Tânia Sousa (IST-UL), Sofia explores the relationship between electrification and decarbonization in Portugal from the second half of the 20th century onwards. The team constructs a novel indicator and employs decomposition methods to analyze how various drivers have influenced the carbon intensity of Portugal’s energy use. They find that electrification aids decarbonization primarily when it integrates a higher share of renewable energy sources and is paired with efficiency improvements. Effective decarbonization through electrification is not just about increasing the share of electricity but ensuring that this electricity is generated from renewable sources and used efficiently.
Sofia’s research underscores the pivotal role of strategic energy policies in fostering sustainable transitions and enhancing economic growth. Her work shows how Portugal’s reliance on outdated technologies due to a lack of adaptive energy policies has historically hindered industrial growth and how contemporary policies promoting renewable energy and efficiency are essential for effective decarbonization. Her current research delves into the effects of deep electrification, crises, energy and material efficiency, climate and urban policies, and individual choices on the sustainability of energy systems in Portugal, Europe, and the World.
