From 2024 to 2025, the 10 most polluting facilities in Portugal recorded an overall increase in greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report released today by the environmental association Zero.

Increased emissions from thermal power plants

In a statement, Zero highlights the most relevant changes from 2024 to 2025, including an increase in emissions from fossil natural gas thermal power plants for electricity production and a significant reduction at the Sines refinery, which nevertheless remains, for the sixth consecutive year, the most polluting facility.

According to Zero's calculations, the Sines refinery saw a 16% reduction in emissions compared to 2024, settling at 2.2 million tons, while TAP's emissions increased by 1% to 1.1 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).

Third place is now occupied by the Lares Thermal Power Plant (Figueira da Foz), owned by EDP, which climbed five positions (from eighth to third place), with a 215% increase in emissions.

Cement plants in the spotlight

The following places are occupied by cement plants: CIMPOR in Souselas remains in fourth place, having reduced emissions by 1%, and CIMPOR in Alhandra is in fifth place, having reduced emissions by 25%.

Another cement plant, SECIL in Outão, appears in eighth place, a drop of three places on the list and a 22% reduction in emissions.

Places six and seven are occupied by ELECGÁS (from Pego) and EDP (Central Termoelétrica do Ribatejo).

The former remained in sixth place but with 43% higher emissions, while EDP Ribatejo recorded the biggest increase, from a modest 16th place in 2024 to seventh last year, with a 326% increase in emissions.

The list is completed with CMP, Maceira and Pataias cement factory (Leiria), in ninth place, a drop of two places, and in 10th place LUSICAL (Santarém), a producer of non-hydraulic limes, which also fell one place, with the same emissions.

In total, the 10 entities were responsible for emitting 8.9 million tons of CO2 last year, 7% more than the 8.3 million tons emitted in 2024.

Galp's emissions reduction

In its data analysis, the environmental association cites Galp's reduction, related to a scheduled shutdown, to argue that the value of refining continues to show a very significant weight of fossil fuels in the Portuguese economy and in polluting emissions, and advises more investment in renewables.

It also notes the increased weight of fossil natural gas, "clearly a result" of the management of post-blackout electricity generation, "reflected in an increase of 1.4 million tons in emissions from fossil gas-fired thermal power plants".

Few differences in the future

In the near future, there should not be major differences in the main carbon dioxide emitting sectors, and there should be growth in the aviation sector, says Zero.

Last year, renewable energy production remained at historical highs but stabilised in relation to 2024.

However, as electricity consumption increased to an all-time high and imports decreased, “the system relied much more on combined cycle natural gas plants, whose production grew by about 97%”.

Abandoning fossil fuels

Zero points to the need for industrial units to make a fair transition away from fossil fuels.

The association's work is part of the LIFE EFFECT project, funded by the European Commission (EC) to, in particular, promote greater civil society participation in decision-making and monitoring processes.

It was based on EC data on the emissions register associated with the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which integrates the main units of sectors that heavily emit carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas causing climate change.