Generation of electricity from natural gas and importing balance set new all-time highs

In June, the consumption of electricity recorded a year-on-year growth of 3.6%, or 2.9% when correcting for the effects of temperature and number of working days. In the first half of the year, in comparison with the same period of last year, consumption increased 2.9%, or 3.0% when correcting for temperature and number of working days. 

The hydroelectric regime remained extremely dry, with a capability index of only 0.24 (historical average of 1), with the lowest value on record (since 1971) for the month of June. The wind regime was mostly in line with the average, at 0.99, while photovoltaics stood at 1.06. Renewable generation supplied 38% of consumption, a percentage that is similar to that of non-renewable generation. The remaining 24% consisted of imported energy.

In the first half of the year, the capability index stood at 0.34 for hydropower (historical average of 1), at 0.95 for wind, and 1.11 for solar. During this period, renewable generation supplied 48% of consumption, split between wind with 25%, hydroelectric with 11%, biomass with 7%, and photovoltaics with 5%. Generation from natural gas supplied 31% of consumption, the highest amount on record for the first half of the year, with the remaining 21% corresponding to the importing balance, which is also the highest ever in the Portuguese national electricity system for this time of the year.

In June, there was a decrease of 7.5% in the natural gas market, thus continuing the downward trend in the conventional segment, with a year-on-year monthly variation of -15.1%, partially offset by an increase of 2.4% in the electricity generation segment. The consumption for generation of electricity was the highest ever for the first half of the year. Supply continues to come almost entirely via the Sines LNG terminal, with the trade balance in the interconnection with Spain standing at near zero. 

During the first six months of the year, the consumption of natural gas recorded a year-on-year decrease of 1.2%, stemming from a drop of 22% in the conventional segment and from a growth of 49% in the electricity generation segment.