Energy consumption in first quarter reaches record high

Electricity consumption in the first three months of 2025 reached an all-time high, totalling 14.1 TWh and surpassing the previous record of 13.9 TWh set in the first quarter of 2010. Compared to the same period last year, consumption increased by 2.7%, or 1.9% when correcting for temperature and working days. In March, electricity consumption grew by 2.8% year-on-year (1.4% when correcting for the effects of temperature and number of working days).

In the first quarter, the hydropower capability index stood at 1.42, the wind capability index at 1.03, and the solar capability index at 0.78 (historical averages of 1). During this period, renewable generation supplied 81% of electricity consumption, with hydropower accounting for 39%, wind power for 29%, photovoltaics for 7%, and biomass for 5%. Natural gas generation supplied only 12% of consumption, while the import/export balance accounted for the remaining 7%.

In March, renewable generation supplied 88% of electricity consumption, non-renewable sources accounted for 9%, and the monthly import/export balance, although lower than in recent months, covered the remaining 3% of national consumption. During the same month, weather conditions remained highly favourable for renewable energy, namely hydropower, which recorded a capability index of 1.86 (historical average of 1). The wind capability index stood at 1.07 in a month that saw the highest-ever wind power peak of 5,078 MW on March 19. Despite its continued strong growth, solar energy remains a minor component in the generation mix, recording a capability index of 0.71.

In the natural gas market, the overall trend of declining consumption continued, with a year-on-year decrease of 3.7% in March, driven by a 4.7% drop in the conventional segment and a 0.3% increase in the electricity production segment. By the end of the quarter, cumulative annual gas consumption recorded a marginal decrease of 0.2%, reflecting a 20% growth in the electricity production segment—although still at very low levels—alongside a 5.7% contraction in the conventional segment, which includes all other consumers.

The national system was primarily supplied through the Sines LNG terminal, which accounted for 76% of national consumption, although there was also some supply through the interconnection with Spain, accounting for the remaining 24% of consumption. Of the total gas supplied to the national consumption, 93% came via the Sines Terminal, with most originating from Nigeria (49% of the gas unloaded in Sines) and the United States (35%).