Renewable energy sources accounted for 68% of the electricity consumed in the 1st half of the year

The first half year was the 'most favourable ever' for the generation of wind energy.

More than two thirds (68%) of the electricity consumed was generated by renewable energy sources in the first six months of the year, a 46% rise in comparison to the same period in 2012. This increase resulted from a set of favourable meteorological conditions that led to a rise in hydroelectric and wind energy generation. Up to June, the production level at hydroelectric dams was 280% up compared to the 2012 figures, and accounted for 36% of national consumption. As for wind energy generation, it was 30% up and accounted for 25% of national consumption, which made it the 'most favourable ever' six-month period for the production of wind energy. In contrast, electricity generation in coal and natural gas power stations fell 22% and 36% respectively, in the same period.

In the first half of the year, electricity consumption fell 1.7% compared to the same period in 2012, although this decrease is adjusted to 0.6% when corrected because of the effects of the temperature and the number of working days. This continues the downward trend of recent years, albeit at a lower rhythm. Up until June the total consumption of 24,330 GWh (Gigawatt hours) was 6.4% lower than the historical maximum for the first half of the year, set in 2010. Lastly, the balance of trade weighed heavily on the export side at the start of the year, although this trend was reversed in May and June, with drier hydrological conditions. In the six months as a whole, 440 GWh more energy was exported than imported, which is equivalent to around 2% of the national consumption in this period, according to the REN statistics.