In July, renewable energy sources met 53% of Portugal's electricity needs, with solar power achieving a milestone by supplying 15% of the monthly consumption. Solar production peaked at over 2,500 MW during the month. Hydroelectric power contributed 14%, wind energy 18%, and biomass 6%. Non-renewable energy sources accounted for 9%, with 38% of the electricity coming from imports.

Electricity consumption trends

Electricity consumption from the public grid in July saw a year-on-year increase of 3.6%, or 2.6% when adjusted for temperature and the number of working days. Over the first seven months of the year, electricity consumption rose by 1.9% compared to the same period last year, or 2.5% when adjusted for temperature and working days.

The hydroelectric productivity index for July was 1.32, with the historical average at 1. Solar productivity was near average with an index of 1.01, while wind productivity was at 0.89. From January to July, the hydroelectric productivity index was 1.33, wind productivity 1.04, and solar productivity 0.95. Renewable energy sources covered 78% of the electricity consumption during this period, with hydroelectric contributing 36%, wind 27%, solar 9%, and biomass 6%. Natural gas-fired power supplied 8% of the consumption, with the remaining 14% coming from imported energy.

In July, gas consumption contracted by 33% year-on-year, with a 76% decrease in the electricity generation sector and a 1.3% drop in the conventional segment, which includes other consumers. Over the first seven months of the year, the cumulative annual gas consumption showed an overall negative trend of 21%, due to a 2.7% increase in the conventional segment and a 68% decrease in the electricity market.

National gas supply was fully met through the Sines LNG terminal, with the balance of exchanges through the interconnection with Spain resulting in an export surplus equivalent to 44% of the national consumption.