Electricity consumption breaks records in January

REN - Redes Energéticas Nacionais recorded the highest ever electricity consumption in the national system in January 2026. Consumption reached 5.4 TWh, an increase of 8.1% (5.9% with temperature and working day correction) compared to the same month last year, when the previous monthly maximum of 5.0 TWh was recorded. In fact, new daily consumption highs were set throughout the month, eventually reaching 197.1 GWh on 23 January. On the 20th, a new record was set for power requested from the system (10,254 MW) and on the 26th, a new peak production record was set (12,217 MW at 7:30 p.m.) as well as a new peak renewable production record (10,977 MW at 8:00 p.m.).

In January, weather conditions were particularly favourable for both hydroelectric and wind power production, with productivity indices of 1.33 and 1.35 respectively (historical averages of 1), both of which are the highest indices for the month of January since 2014. In photovoltaics, the index registered 0.62 (historical average of 1), which is the lowest value for January in REN's records.
Overall, in January, renewable production supplied 80% of consumption, with hydroelectric power accounting for 37%, wind power 35%, photovoltaic power 4% and biomass also 4%. Non-renewable production, through natural gas power stations, supplied 14% of consumption, while the remaining 6% was supplied through imported energy.

In the natural gas market, consumption also performed well, with year-on-year growth of 7.5%, the highest monthly consumption since July 2023. Consumption grew by 4.7% in the conventional segment and 14.4% in the electricity production segment.

The Sines LNG terminal remained the main source of supply for the national system with 72% of the total, originating in Nigeria (38%) and the USA (34%). The remaining 28% came through the interconnection with Spain, the highest share since October 2022.