Portugal sets record electricity consumption in first half of 2026

Electricity consumption in Portugal reached 27,200 GWh in the first half of 2026, a 3.5% increase over the same period last year and the highest level ever recorded in the national system. Adjusted for temperature and working days the rise was 3.3%, and June alone showed a 3.0% year‑on‑year increase.

Renewable generation supplied 71% of the total demand, split between hydro‑electric (29%), wind (26%), photovoltaic (11%) and biomass (5%). Natural‑gas‑fired generation contributed 14%, while imports covered the remaining 15%. Renewable productivity indices were 1.19 for hydro, 1.03 for wind and 0.79 for solar; a solar peak of about 3,800 MW was recorded on 29 June. The natural‑gas market fell 9% in June, but overall gas consumption rose 6.1% in the first six months, with the Sines LNG terminal receiving gas mainly from Nigeria (55%), the United States (29%) and Russia (16%).