Portugal sets renewable energy production record in 2023

In 2023, the production of energy from renewable sources in Portugal reached an unprecedented level. Data published by REN, the electricity transmission system operator, indicates that 61% of the country’s electricity production came from renewable sources, up from 49% recorded in 2022

This remarkable achievement was made possible due to favorable weather conditions, including periods of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and significant exposure to sunlight, as reported by Reuters.

Portugal has set a goal to generate 85% of its total electricity from renewable sources by 2030, already positioning itself among Europe’s leaders in this regard.

European countries are increasingly relying on renewable energy, especially amidst a significant rise in natural gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the primary gas supplier to Europe.

In 2023, wind energy accounted for 25% of Portugal’s total electricity usage, followed by hydroelectric power (23%), solar energy (7%), and biomass (6%), according to REN data.

Conversely, natural gas consumption decreased by 21% in 2023 compared to the previous year, with the majority of gas volumes imported through the port of Sines, only 5% of which originated from Spain.

Across the European Union, the share of renewable energy sources in total electricity consumption reached 23% in 2023, up by 1.1 percentage points from 2021, according to Eurostat.

Among EU member states, Portugal held a significant position with a 34.7% share of renewable energy in electricity consumption in 2022, alongside other states such as Sweden (66%), Finland (47.9%), Latvia (43.3%), and Denmark (41.6%).

The revised directive on renewable energy has set a target for the EU to derive 42.5% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, with potential growth to reach 45%.