Solar power reaches historic high in monthly electricity consumption at 15%

In July, renewable energy sources supplied 53% of Portugal's electricity consumption, with solar power reaching a historic high of 15% for the first time, peaking at over 2500 MW. Hydropower contributed 14%, wind power 18%, and biomass the remaining 6%. Non-renewable production accounted for 9%, with 38% of the electricity being imported.

Electricity consumption supplied by the public grid in July showed a year-on-year increase of 3.6%, or 2.6% when adjusted for temperature and the number of working days. In the first seven months of the year, consumption rose by 1.9% compared to the same period the previous year, or 2.5% when corrected for temperature and working days.

The hydroelectric productivity index stood at 1.32 in July (with a historical average of 1). Solar conditions were nearly in line with average values, with an index of 1.01, while the wind productivity index was 0.89. From January to July, the hydroelectric productivity index was 1.33, wind productivity was 1.04, and solar productivity was 0.95. Renewable production supplied 78% of consumption, with hydro accounting for 36%, wind for 27%, solar for 9%, and biomass for 6%. Natural gas supplied 8% of consumption, while the remaining 14% was imported energy.

In July, gas consumption saw a year-on-year decrease of 33%, with a 76% drop in the electricity generation segment and a 1.3% decrease in the conventional segment, which includes other consumers. In the first seven months of the year, cumulative annual gas consumption declined by 21%, due to a 2.7% increase in the conventional segment and a 68% drop in the electricity market.

The national supply was fully provided by the Sines LNG terminal, with the balance of exchanges through the interconnection with Spain showing an export surplus equivalent to 44% of national consumption.