Portugal’s electricity consumption reached 39.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) between January and September, the highest level since 2010, according to REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais, the country’s transmission system operator. Consumption increased 2.6% compared to the same period in 2024, or 2.0% when adjusted for temperature and working days, surpassing the previous record by 0.8%.

Renewable energies supplied 70% of demand in the first nine months of the year, with hydropower accounting for 28%, wind for 24% and solar for 13%, the latter recording a 25% year-on-year increase. Natural gas generation represented 14% of total consumption, while 16% was supplied by imports.

In September, renewable sources covered 57% of national electricity demand, with wind generation benefiting from particularly favorable conditions, reaching an efficiency index of 1.37, while solar production showed slightly lower performance with an index of 0.95.

On the gas side, consumption rose 18% year-on-year in September, driven mainly by the electricity generation segment, which more than doubled compared to 2024. Conventional gas consumption, covering other users, fell by 3.4%.

From January to September, total natural gas consumption increased by 13%, reflecting a 132% rise in the power sector and an 8% drop in conventional demand. Portugal’s gas supply in September was fully met through the Sines LNG terminal, with imports coming mainly from Nigeria (49%) and the United States (39%).

REN also noted that the interconnection with Spain recorded a net export balance equivalent to about 7% of national consumption, underscoring Portugal’s strong position in the regional electricity market.