Electricity consumption in mainland Portugal increased by 3.6% in May 2026, after adjusting for temperature and the number of business days, according to the latest Market Statistics and Energy Consumption data. On an unadjusted basis, consumption rose 3.8% compared with May 2025.

The data also show that electricity demand continued to grow during the first five months of the year. Between January and May 2026, consumption increased 3.4% after adjustments for temperature and business days, or 3.6% on an unadjusted basis.

Renewable energy remained the main source of electricity supply in May, accounting for 61% of consumption. Non-renewable generation supplied 11%, while the remaining 28% was covered by imported electricity.

For the period from January to May, renewable generation supplied 73% of total electricity consumption. Hydropower contributed 32%, wind energy 27%, solar power 10%, and biomass 5%. Natural gas-fired generation accounted for 15%, while imports represented the remaining 12%.

The report indicates that renewable generation conditions in May were below historical averages. The hydroelectric productivity index stood at 0.82, while wind and solar recorded indices of 0.83 and 0.84, respectively, compared with a historical average value of 1.

Over the first five months of 2026, however, hydroelectric and wind conditions were stronger. The hydroelectric productivity index reached 1.24, while the wind productivity index stood at 1.03. The solar productivity index was 0.75 during the same period.

The data highlight a record month for solar generation. According to the report, solar production reached an all-time high in May, approaching 3,400 megawatts (MW).

In Portugal’s natural gas market, consumption declined 11% year-on-year in May. The decrease reflected a 1.9% reduction in the conventional consumption segment and a 31% decline in the electricity generation segment.

The national gas system was supplied entirely through the Sines LNG terminal during May. The report states that Portugal’s gas system remained a net exporter through its interconnection with Spain.

Despite the decline recorded in May, natural gas consumption increased during the first five months of the year. Between January and May, total gas consumption rose 8.9% compared with the same period in 2025. Consumption in the electricity generation segment increased 36%, while conventional consumption fell 0.5%.

During the January–May period, 90% of Portugal’s gas supply was delivered through the Sines LNG terminal, with the remaining 10% arriving via the interconnection with Spain, according to the Market Statistics and Energy Consumption data.