According to data from Portugal’s electricity grid operator REN, the National Electricity System (SEN) reached a new historic peak on January 6, 2026. At 19:45, the system recorded a provisional peak consumption of 10,168 MW, surpassing 10 GW for the first time. The previous peak was 9,883 MW, reached on January 12, 2021, at 19:30. On the same day, January 6, SEN also set a new record for daily electricity consumption, totaling 186.2 GWh, surpassing the previous record of 185.1 GWh established on January 13, 2021.

2025 annual electricity and renewable energy overview

In 2025, electricity supplied by Portugal’s public grid reached 53.1 TWh, 3.2% higher than 2024 or 2.3% higher when adjusting for temperature and working days. This is the highest annual consumption ever recorded in the national system, surpassing the previous record of 52.2 TWh in 2010 by 1.7%. December alone saw a strong consumption increase of 6.9% year-on-year, or 4.8% after adjustments.

Renewable energy production reached 37 TWh, up from 36.7 TWh in 2024, marking the highest renewable output ever in Portugal and representing 68% of total consumption, similar to 70% in 2024. Renewable generation benefited from a 25% increase in solar PV output, driven by rapid technology expansion, and favorable hydro conditions. Hydroelectric productivity reached 1.32, wind 1.00, and solar 0.89. Breakdown of renewable contribution: hydro 27%, wind 25%, solar 11%, biomass 5%.

Non-renewable generation, almost entirely from natural gas, totaled 7.9 TWh, up 54% from the previous year, accounting for 15% of national consumption. Despite the growth in gas-fired electricity this year, renewables and imports from Spain continue to reduce gas penetration in the long term. Imports remained high at 9.3 TWh (17% of consumption), though 11% lower than 2024, when imports represented 20% of demand.

In 2025, natural gas consumption reached 45.0 TWh, 11% higher than 2024 but still 8% below 2023 levels. Growth came mainly from electricity generation, which rose to 13.8 TWh, a 93% increase year-on-year, though still 15% below 2023 levels. Conventional consumption (other sectors) fell 6.4% to 31.2 TWh, the lowest since 2009.

Gas supply was almost entirely sourced from the Sines LNG terminal, with Spanish interconnections providing only 3% of demand. LNG came primarily from Nigeria (52%) and the United States (41%).