Electricity consumption in Portugal increased by 3.1% between January and August, according to data released by REN (Redes Energéticas Nacionais). In August, growth was 1.2% compared to the same month the previous year, or 2.2% when corrected for temperature effects and the number of working days.
Solar production reached a new capacity peak in August, with around 3,850 megawatts, following the growth in installed capacity. However, weather conditions were less favorable for wind and photovoltaic production during that month, with productivity indices of 0.87 and 0.82, respectively.
During the first eight months of the year, renewable production supplied 66% of national consumption, divided among hydroelectric (25%), wind (23%), photovoltaic (13%) and biomass (5%). In August alone, renewables represented 52%, non-renewables 12% and imports 36%, with the latter reaching a new peak above 5,200 MW after the reinforcement of the interconnection with Spain.
Natural gas consumption increased by 2.2% between January and August, with electricity generation from gas rising by 7.4%. Nigeria (57%) and the United States (31%) were the primary sources of gas supplied to Portugal, while national distribution was entirely handled through the Sines LNG terminal.
