Portugal’s electricity system started 2026 with a strong performance from renewable energy sources. According to data released by grid operator REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais, renewable generation supplied 80% of national electricity consumption in January, driven mainly by hydropower and wind energy. Total renewable output reached a new record of 10,977 MW, marking the highest level of renewable generation ever recorded in the country.

Hydropower was the leading source, accounting for 37% of total electricity consumption, followed closely by wind energy with 35%. Solar photovoltaic and biomass each contributed 4%. Favourable weather conditions played a key role in this performance, with hydropower and wind registering productivity indices of 1.33 and 1.35 respectively, well above the historical average of 1 and the highest values recorded for the month of January since 2014. By contrast, photovoltaic production was weaker, with a productivity index of 0.62, the lowest January value in REN’s records.

Non-renewable generation, provided exclusively by natural gas-fired power plants, covered 14% of electricity demand, while the remaining 6% was supplied through electricity imports.

Beyond renewable generation, January also set new records in electricity consumption. REN reported that total electricity demand reached 5.4 TWh, representing an 8.1% year-on-year increase, or 5.9% when adjusted for temperature and working days, compared to the previous January record of 5.0 TWh. Several daily consumption records were broken during the month, with demand peaking at 197.1 GWh on 23 January.

The system also registered new operational milestones. On 20 January, Portugal reached a new record for peak power demand, at 10,254 MW. This was followed by a new all-time high for maximum total generation on 26 January, when output reached 12,217 MW at 19:30, as well as the previously mentioned renewable generation record of 10,977 MW at 20:00 on the same day.

Natural gas consumption also showed strong growth in January, increasing 7.5% year-on-year and reaching its highest monthly level since July 2023. Consumption rose by 4.7% in the conventional segment and by 14.4% in the power generation segment, reflecting higher gas use in electricity production.

The Sines LNG terminal remained the main entry point for gas supply into the Portuguese system, accounting for 72% of total supply, with imports mainly originating from Nigeria (38%) and the United States (34%). The remaining 28% was supplied through the interconnection with Spain, representing the highest share from this route since October 2022.