Portugal Power Outages: Leiria, Farms & Government Response

February 28, 2026 David Kessler - News Editor News

One Month Without Power: Leiria Businesses and Homes Still in the Dark After Storm Kristin

More than a month after Storm Kristin battered Portugal, dozens of businesses and homes in the Leiria municipality remain without electricity, sparking frustration and economic hardship. As of February 26th, officials reported that 48 agricultural operations, primarily swine farms, were still reliant on generators to maintain basic functions, impacting an area exceeding 100 square kilometers. This situation affects approximately 20% of Portugal’s national pig production, with over 10,000 animals facing precarious conditions.

The prolonged outage has ignited a dispute between the Portuguese Federation of Swine Associations (FPAS) and energy provider EDP, with the federation contesting the company’s claims of widespread power restoration. The FPAS asserts that the situation in Leiria is “little better than on the day of the storm,” and accuses EDP of downplaying the severity of the ongoing crisis.

A Month of Disruption and Mounting Losses

The impact extends beyond the immediate lack of power. Swine farms, crucial to the region’s economy, depend on electricity for essential systems like automated feeding, ventilation, and heating. Forced to rely on generators, these businesses are accumulating daily financial losses. The FPAS estimates that the affected area encompasses several parishes including Colmeias and Memória, Janardo, Regueira de Pontes, Santa Eufémia and Boavista, Bidoeira de Cima, Milagres and Ortigosa.

The situation is particularly concerning for animal welfare. According to the FPAS, more than 10,000 animals are living in precarious conditions due to the lack of reliable power. The federation highlighted the “stupefaction” felt by its members regarding statements made by EDP’s executive president, Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade, who claimed that power had been restored to 100% of affected customers. The FPAS characterized these statements as “offensive” to the thousands of families and hundreds of businesses impacted.

EDP’s Response and Ongoing Restoration Efforts

EDP maintains that it has restored power to all customers except for “a few specific situations.” However, this assertion is directly challenged by the FPAS, which provides a concrete number of 48 farms still without power as of February 26th. The discrepancy in reported figures underscores a lack of clear communication and a growing distrust between the energy provider and the affected agricultural community.

The government has acknowledged the severity of the situation and has indicated it will request a comprehensive report on the response to the crisis, particularly regarding the energy sector. This move suggests a growing concern at the national level about the prolonged disruption and its economic consequences.

The Broader Context: Storm Kristin and Portugal’s Infrastructure

Storm Kristin, which struck Portugal on January 28th, brought torrential rain and strong winds, causing widespread damage to infrastructure across the country. The storm exposed vulnerabilities in Portugal’s power grid, particularly in rural areas heavily reliant on forested land. The extensive damage to power lines and substations required significant repair work, and the challenging terrain hampered restoration efforts.

The current crisis highlights the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure and improving emergency response protocols. Portugal’s reliance on aging infrastructure, coupled with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events linked to climate change, poses a significant threat to the country’s economic stability and the well-being of its citizens. A report in Expresso details the challenges facing Portugal’s electrical grid, and the demand for modernization.

What Happens Next?

The FPAS is demanding immediate action to restore power to the affected farms and is calling for greater transparency from EDP regarding the timeline for repairs. The federation is too seeking financial assistance from the government to help offset the economic losses incurred by its members.

The government’s forthcoming report is expected to provide a detailed assessment of the situation and outline a plan for addressing the underlying issues that contributed to the prolonged outage. It remains unclear, however, when power will be fully restored to all affected areas. The lack of a definitive timeline is fueling anxiety among businesses and residents who are facing an uncertain future. The Diário de Notícias reported that recovery of energy in areas affected by the lousy weather was “practically completed” but this does not appear to be the case in Leiria.

Confirmed vs. Unclear

Here’s a breakdown of what is confirmed and what remains unclear:

Confirmed:

  • 48 agricultural operations in the Leiria municipality were without power as of February 26th.
  • The affected area exceeds 100 square kilometers and represents 20% of Portugal’s national pig production.
  • Over 10,000 animals are currently living in precarious conditions.
  • Businesses are incurring daily financial losses due to reliance on generators.
  • A dispute exists between the FPAS and EDP regarding the extent of power restoration.
  • The government will request a report on the response to the crisis.

Unclear:

  • A precise timeline for full power restoration.
  • The specific nature of the “few specific situations” cited by EDP.
  • The total financial losses incurred by affected businesses.
  • The details of the government’s plan for addressing the underlying infrastructure issues.

The situation in Leiria serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to extreme weather events and the importance of proactive investment in resilience and preparedness. As the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of Storm Kristin, the focus must remain on restoring power, supporting affected communities, and preventing similar crises from occurring in the future. The Observador reported on the 48 farms still without electricity, highlighting the ongoing struggle.