The situation in the Algarve has been evolving favourably, with an additional 99.3 cubic hectometres (hm3) of water storage recorded compared to the same period in 2024, said the minister, adding that there are conditions for a possible new easing of the restrictions in force, whether in agriculture or in the urban sector or tourism.

Still, in the water sector, Maria da Graça Carvalho said that funding for reducing water losses will be reinforced, with a focus on the Algarve region.

Maria da Graça Carvalho was speaking at the parliamentary committee on Environment and Energy, in a procedural hearing in which she took stock of the actions of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAEN) over the last year.

In her opening speech, the minister recalled the increase in support for electric mobility, with the purchase of 860 electric buses being assured, for a total value of €227 million.

“This is an investment that truly promotes territorial cohesion, covering the entire territory of the continent”, said Maria da Graça Carvalho, also referring to support for sustainable individual mobility, such as the incentive to purchase low-emission vehicles, for which applications for 2025 will open next week.