Electricity demand rose 3.5% year on year during the first six months of 2026, while renewable sources supplied more than two-thirds of national consumption, according to the latest system data.

Portugal registered its highest electricity consumption ever for the first half of the year in 2026, with national demand reaching 27,200 GWh, a 3.5% increase compared with the same period in 2025. After adjusting for temperature and the number of working days, consumption was 3.3% higher year on year.

The figure surpassed the previous first-half record, set in 2025, by approximately 900 GWh, reflecting continued growth in electricity demand across the country.

In June, electricity consumption maintained its upward trend, increasing 3.0% year on year, or 2.5% after calendar and weather adjustments.

Renewables cover 71% of electricity demand

During the first six months of 2026, renewable energy sources supplied 71% of Portugal's electricity consumption.

Hydropower was the largest contributor, accounting for 29% of demand, followed by wind energy (26%), solar photovoltaic (11%) and biomass (5%).

Natural gas-fired generation represented 14% of electricity consumption, while imports covered the remaining 15%.

Renewable resource conditions were generally favorable during the period. The hydroelectric productivity index reached 1.19, while the wind productivity index stood at 1.03, both above the historical average of 1. By contrast, the solar productivity index reached 0.79, reflecting below-average solar resource availability.

June sees weaker hydropower but record solar output

Conditions changed significantly in June, when hydropower production was affected by unfavorable hydrological conditions, with the productivity index falling to 0.54, despite reservoirs remaining at relatively high levels.

Wind generation performed slightly above average, with a productivity index of 1.08, while solar generation reached 0.93.

Despite the lower solar productivity index, solar power reached a new all-time generation peak of around 3,800 MW on 29 June at 13:30, highlighting the continued expansion of Portugal's photovoltaic fleet.

Overall, renewable generation supplied 55% of electricity demand in June, while non-renewable generation accounted for 12% and imports covered the remaining 33%.

Natural gas demand declines in June

Portugal's natural gas market contracted by 9% year on year in June, mainly due to a 33% decline in gas consumption for electricity generation.

In contrast, demand in the conventional gas market, which includes residential, commercial and industrial consumers outside the power sector, increased by 5% compared with June 2025.

During the month, the Sines LNG terminal supplied the entire national gas system. LNG imports originated primarily from Nigeria (55%), followed by the United States (29%) and Russia (16%).

First-half gas consumption rises

Despite the June decline, cumulative natural gas consumption increased by 6.1% during the first half of 2026.

The increase was driven by a 21% rise in gas demand for electricity generation, while conventional consumption recorded a modest 0.3% increase.

Nigeria and the United States remained Portugal's main gas suppliers during the first six months of the year, accounting for 56% and 33% of total imports, respectively. Russia supplied 8% of total gas consumed, while the remaining 7% entered Portugal through the gas interconnection with Spain.