Solar leads Portugal’s electricity mix for the first time in July

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%.

The accumulated productivity indices show a favorable performance for hydroelectric generation, with a value of 1.19, while wind power remained at average levels (1.00) and solar power registered an index of 0.83.

Electricity demand continues to grow

Electricity consumption in Portugal during July maintained an upward trend observed since the beginning of the year. Demand increased by 3% compared to the same month in 2025, an increase that falls to 1.8% once the effects of temperature and the number of working days are adjusted for.

In the first seven months of the year, electricity consumption grew by 3.5% year-on-year, or 3.1% after applying the corresponding temperature and calendar corrections.

In the natural gas market, consumption fell by 7.3% year-on-year in July, mainly due to a 20% reduction in the electricity generation segment. Conversely, conventional consumption, which includes all other consumers, showed a slight increase of 0.1%.

Between January and July, cumulative natural gas consumption increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year. This growth was driven by a 14% increase in consumption for electricity generation, while the conventional segment saw a 0.3% increase.