Electricity consumption grows 3.8% in July with solar setting a new record

Electricity consumption in Portugal continued the growth trend of recent months in July, with a year-on-year increase of 3.8%, or 2.1% when adjusted for temperature and the number of working days. From January to July, consumption increased by 2.4% compared to the same period last year, or 2.0% when adjusted for temperature and working days.

Although the month was marked by less favourable conditions for renewable production, solar energy stood out with a new daily power peak, exceeding 3300 MW. Solar production accounted for 17.5% of monthly consumption, practically on a par with wind production, which contributed 22%. In total, renewable production supplied 54% of consumption, while non-renewable production accounted for 17% and the remaining 29% was covered by imports.

The hydroelectric productivity index was 0.87, which is less significant at this time of year. Solar energy recorded an index of 0.94 and wind energy 1.14, the most favourable of the three sources.

In the first seven months of the year, renewable production supplied 74% of consumption, with hydroelectric accounting for 32%, wind 25%, solar 12% and biomass 5%. Natural gas production supplied 13% of consumption, a similar percentage to imported energy. The average productivity indices for the period were 1.39 for hydroelectric, 1.00 for wind and 0.89 for solar.

In the natural gas market, consumption increased by 17% in July compared to the same month last year, sustained by the electricity production segment. The conventional segment, which includes the remaining consumers, recorded a year-on-year drop of 12%.

Domestic supply was almost entirely provided by the Sines LNG terminal, with only 3% of supply coming from the interconnection with Spain. In the first seven months of the year, cumulative natural gas consumption grew by 11%, with a 132% increase in the electricity production segment and an 8% drop in the conventional segment. The latter recorded its lowest consumption since 2009. Nigeria and the United States remain the main gas suppliers, accounting for 56% and 32% of the total, respectively.