"The highest value ever" and "A record production in 2023" — these headlines are a source of satisfaction. In the field of renewable energy, Portugal has become a European benchmark, with renewables accounting for 61% of the country's electricity consumption last year. Meteorology and technology are an important part of this journey. But also the investment and innovation of companies, which are looking to wind, water, the sun or biomass as solutions to the inevitable energy transformation.
In 2023, Portugal consumed 31.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) of renewable energy. This figure may not seem immediately clear, but it gains significance when considering that renewables accounted for 61 per cent of the country’s electricity consumption. In other words, a substantial proportion of energy comes from renewable sources. Compared to the previous year, 2023 saw a 70 per cent increase in hydroelectric production and a 43 per cent rise in photovoltaic output, according to data from REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais.
The year 2022 was notably dry, which explains the significant increase in hydroelectric power production in 2023. Meanwhile, the growth in photovoltaic energy production is due to the expanded installed capacity and investments made by companies and individuals in solar panels to harness the abundant sunshine.
