Betar

Currently, he is the General Manager of Egis in Portugal. Tell us a little about your professional background and Egis’ activities in the operation and maintenance of the A24.

My basic training is in Civil Engineering, the area in which I began my professional career. As my career progressed, I developed a growing interest in management and later complemented my training in this field. Since 2022, I have been the General Manager of Egis Road Operation Portugal, responsible for managing the activities of the Egis Group in the country and supporting various international projects.

Our main activities on the A24 include operation – which encompasses the traffic control and patrolling center -, routine maintenance, conducting inspections, and providing specialized technical support to the Norscut Concessionaire. This partnership, which has been maintained since the beginning of the Concession, has been fundamental in ensuring the quality and safety of this essential infrastructure for the populations of the Sertão region.

In addition to maintaining the infrastructure and managing the assets of the A24 highway, EGIS also develops projects within the scope of implementing renewable energy solutions. Can you tell us about that?

Sustainability is one of Egis’s fundamental principles. One of the ways to achieve this commitment is through a consistent investment in renewable energies. The A24 was a pioneer in Portugal in the installation of photovoltaic panels associated with highways, not only in the support buildings for operation and maintenance, but also in the tunnels themselves — projects developed in close collaboration with Norscut. In addition to these initiatives on the A24, Egis has other solar energy production and sales facilities in central Portugal.

In the context of sustainability, several emblematic projects stand out, such as the progressive electrification of the fleet, which began in 2021 and allowed for 100% electric patrolling from 2023 onwards; the full acquisition of energy from renewable sources; and active participation in community events and initiatives. The implementation and certification of the ISO 50001 energy management system also reinforce our capacity for continuous improvement in this area. These efforts reflect Egis’ ongoing commitment to decarbonization, innovation, and the creation of sustainable value for society.

At this critical moment that the country is going through, we need to address the issue of storms. Have there been problems with the A24? Are there exceptional preventive measures that can be taken when anticipating extreme weather situations?

As throughout the country, the A24 has also been affected by adverse weather conditions. The occurrence of intense rainfall and strong winds — which, as happened in other regions, contributed to landslides, falling trees and pavement degradation — has required continuous action on the ground. To these phenomena are added several episodes of snow, which have marked this winter.

Although 2026 is proving to be a particularly extreme year in terms of weather conditions, we are constantly working to anticipate scenarios and strengthen the resilience of the infrastructure. We adjust operational resources according to available forecasts and alerts, ensuring a response that is as efficient and effective as possible, with the aim of guaranteeing the safety and continuity of service on the A24.

Regarding routine measures, inspections are crucial moments to ensure the durability of assets and the safety of users. How does BETAR fit into your strategy at this level?

We have been certified to the ISO 55001 standard – Asset Management since 2018, having been pioneers in its implementation in Portugal. Inspections play a fundamental role in asset management, allowing for the early identification of any anomalies, extending the lifespan of infrastructure, and reinforcing user safety.

Betar is our long-standing partner, ensuring the performance of periodic inspections on various A24 assets, particularly on engineering structures. This collaboration has been essential to guarantee the reliability and technical quality of our asset management process.

Does EGIS intend to expand its operations in Portugal or increase its area of ​​influence? What are the challenges for the future?

Egis is an engineering company with a global presence, currently active in more than 100 countries. Leveraging its deep technical know-how, the Group began developing asset operation and maintenance activities several years ago — an area in which it has become a world reference and is now recognized as the largest private highway operator globally.

In Portugal, we remain focused on expanding Egis’s presence, both in the field of infrastructure operation and maintenance and in the engineering sector. Our ambition is to strengthen value creation for clients, partners and the country, contributing with innovative, sustainable and high-quality technical solutions.

This interview is an integral part of Artes&Letras magazine #186, march 2026
Partially automatic translation from portuguese: some expressions may differ from their actual meaning.