Mains electricity

Electricity supply in Portugal is provided by Electricidade de Portugal (EDP).  Power provided by EDP is 220V AC, 50Hz single-phase or 380V AC, 50Hz three-phase.  This is the same as in most of mainland Europe and Africa.  It is different from that supplied in USA, UK, Ireland and most of anglophile Africa.  EDP normally provides connections to premises within 1-km of one of their transformers.  Owners of houses more than one kilometre from a transformer may request quotations for the installation of an additional transformer and a special line.

The charges for low-voltage domestic supplies are made up of three components: the fixed charge, the charge for energy consumed, and VAT.

The fixed charge depends on the type of supply contracted.  For low-income consumers there is a social rate.  Most consumers contract the standard rate.  Those that have over 60kWh (see below “Saving energy costs) night consumption may opt for the night rate.  This option is discussed later on.

The EDP is in the process of adjusting tariffs as they will be facing competition as from September 2006.

From January 2006 the electricity bills have suffered a change, you can now choose from a bill every 2 months or a monthly bill of an estimate amount. EDP will, in both cases, read the meters every 6 months.

The VAT rate for electricity is 5%.

How to request a new domestic supply

You can request a new domestic supply by phone (800 246 246) or at the local office of your electricity distribution company.  Their offices have a wide range of information brochures so they are worth a visit.

You will need the following documentation:

·         Proof of your identity: Identity card (Bilhete de Identidade) or Residência, Tax Registration Card (Cartão de Contribuinte), or Passport.

·         Proof of legal occupation of the premises, such as land -tax registration (Caderneta Predial), rental agreement, or purchase contract (Escritura de Compra).

For new premises you will also need to provide a plan of the layout of the building, the occupation approval (Licença de Habitação), a map showing the location of the premises, a summary of the circuits (ficha electrotécnica) and a registered electrician's certification of the installation (declaração de responsabilidade).

You will also need to decide:

·         Which tariff you require (social, standard, or night-rate).

·         What capacity you will need.  This depends on the equipment you will use.  For a modern household you will normally need at least 6,900KVA, but with the full-range of equipment even 10,350KVA may not be sufficient. The highest normal domestic capacity is 19.8 KVA.

·         Whether the installation should be single-phase or three-phase.

·         How you are going to pay the bills.  If you choose to pay by direct debit you will not have to pay a deposit.

The first step is the request for the connection and installation of the meter (a baixada).  If power cables are close to the house this normally takes only a few days.  Once this is complete EDP will draw up a contract and you will be asked to sign the original. A charge of €5 will be added to the first invoice to cover handling and legal costs incurred.

How to change the name on the contract

The procedure is similar but requires fewer documents than the connection of new premises. 

Methods of payment

You may pay EDP by bank transfer, Multibanco, cash or cheque. 

The advantage of payment by bank transfer is that EDP waives the deposit and payment is made without any additional charges.  You should receive the invoice before your account is debited, giving time for you to check the amounts and to contact EDP if a correction is needed.  If you wish to pay be direct debit contact your local EDP office or telephone their free-phone number.

To pay by Multibanco, choose the option "Pagamento de Serviços", and enter in the numbers identifying the organisation (Entidade), the invoice reference (Referência), and the amount in Euros (Montante).  These numbers are on the left of the payment slip attached to the invoice.

Local EDP offices and Post Offices will accept payments in cash, cheque, or postal order (vale postal).  You may also send cheques by post.  When paying by cheque or postal order you should write the location code (número de identificação do local) on the back.  This code is given on the invoice.

Estimated bills

EDP only reads the electricity meters occasionally sometimes not even once per year.  Most bills are therefore estimates based on previous consumption.  Often estimates are much lower than the real consumption.  When this occurs the correction is made following the next meter reading.  This can result in a sudden very high bill.  There are two ways to avoid such an unpleasant surprise.

Firstly, you can opt for EDP's scheme for constant monthly payments by direct debit, Conta Certa EdP.  Under this scheme you pay the same value each month, based on estimates of your previous consumption.  At the end of the year, EDP read the meter and correct the bill.  If you have overpaid they deposit the money in your account.  If you owe EDP the amount is added to you bill over the next three months.

Alternatively, you can read the meter yourself and call the freephone number indicated on your account. Follow the recorded instructions (only in Portuguese) and key in the information requested using the phone buttons. You do not have to speak. This is both accurate and efficient.