The symposium “Water-Energy Strategy”, dedicated to the challenges and possible solutions for the future of water in Portugal, was organized by the Renewable Energies Chair of the University of Évora on February 6, as part of the Sol2H2O project. The event was a great success, bringing together various entities and experts from the sector.

Throughout the day, participants discussed challenges and opportunities for the sustainable management of water resources, resulting in several ideas for a more resilient and efficient future.

Renowned entities attended the event, including the Alentejo Regional Hydrographic Administration, the Regulatory Authority for Water and Waste Services, EPAL – Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres, the Hydraulics & Water Resources Resilience Department of EDP, and Água e Resíduos da Madeira.

The symposium concluded with a roundtable discussion on the Water-Energy Nexus: Integration of Renewable Energies in Water Production and Treatment, featuring João Crespo (Nova University of Lisbon), Carina Arranja (National Federation of Irrigators), and Sandra Jorge (Águas do Centro Litoral). These experts shared experiences, challenges, and solutions for the efficient management of water in Portugal.

Key topics discussed throughout the event included water sustainability, technological innovation in the sector, and adaptation to climate change. The debate provided a space for reflection and collaboration among different stakeholders, reinforcing the importance of an integrated national strategy for water management. Additionally, it raised the opportunity to initiate discussions on creating a national association for desalination and wastewater reuse, similar to initiatives in Spain and Italy, both partner countries in the Sol2H2O project.

The event reaffirmed the need for ongoing collaboration between public, private, and academic entities, ensuring that the future of water in Portugal is shaped by innovation, resilience, and sustainability.