Solar production breaks record in August

Portugal registered a 3.1% increase in electricity consumption between January and August, according to REN data. In August, solar production reached a new power peak, with about 3,850 MW, driven by growth in installed capacity, despite less favorable weather conditions for wind and photovoltaic production. During that month, renewable energies supplied 52% of national electricity consumption, non-renewable production represented 12%, and the remaining 36% came from imports, which reached a new maximum above 5,200 MW after the reinforcement of the interconnection with Spain. In the first eight months of the year, renewable production accounted for 66% of consumption, divided among hydroelectric, wind, photovoltaic, and biomass, while natural gas represented 14% and the import balance the remaining 20%. Natural gas consumption grew 2.2% in the period, with Nigeria and the United States as main sources of supply.