Solar accounted for 19% of national consumption in July, followed by hydroelectric generation (16%), wind power (13%), and biomass (5%).
Solar photovoltaic energy became the leading source of electricity generation in Portugal for the first time in July, according to monthly statistics published by the Portuguese electricity system operator REN. The technology accounted for 19% of national consumption, surpassing hydroelectric (16%), wind (13%), and biomass (5%).
Renewable energy sources covered a total 53% of electricity demand in Portugal last month. Non-renewable generation accounted for 13% of consumption, while the remaining 34% was covered by electricity imports.
According to the latest statistics from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Portugal has an installed photovoltaic capacity of almost 7 GW, compared to around 8.3 GW of hydroelectric capacity.
Between January and July, renewable energy sources supplied 68% of the electricity consumed in Portugal. Hydropower generation maintained the largest share, with 27% of the total, followed by wind (24%), solar (12%) and biomass (5%). During the same period, natural gas power plants accounted for 14% of consumption, while imports represented 18%.
