Maria José Espírito Santo holds a Degree in Electrotechnical Engineering from the Instituto Superior Técnico.

Since 2018 she is the Deputy Director General for energy in the Directorate General of Energy and Geology.

She started her activity in 1980 in the private sector and since 1989 has been performing public service functions closely linked to the area of licensing and renewable energies.

Between 2001 and 2011, at DGEG, she was Head of Licensing and Supervision Division of the Electricity Services Directorate and from 2011 to 2018 Director of Electric Energy Services.

Between 1989 and 2001 she worked at the Former Water Institute, first in the Directorate of Endogenous Resource Services and later in the Directorate of Project and Construction Services.

She integrates the representation of DGEG in various working groups and Commissions both nationally and internationally.