Wind generation reaches new historical high again in November

The maximum daily domestic wind generation reached 103.1 GWh on 22 November, surpassing the previous historical maximum of 102.4 GWh from February 2019.

The consumption of electricity increased 1.4% in November, or 1.8% when correcting for temperature and working days. The accumulated annual consumption, on the other hand, recorded a negative evolution of 1.5%, or a negative 0.5% when correcting for temperature and working days.

Inflows to hydroelectric dams had a positive record in November, with the capability index standing at 1.15 (historical average of 1). In wind generation, conditions were particularly favourable, with the second highest monthly wind generation ever, corresponding to a capability index of 1.53 (historical average of 1). Also in November, renewable production supplied 65% of the domestic consumption plus net exports, the highest value recorded this year, and non-renewable production supplied 35%. The net exports amounted to around 5% of the domestic consumption.  

In the year to date, the annual hydropower capability index stood at 0.65 (historical average of 1), a reflection of the dry conditions that have been happening and that were only interrupted in November, while the wind-power capability index recorded an above-average value, with 1.06 (historical average of 1). In the eleven months that have passed this year, renewable sources prevailed, with 47% of the domestic consumption, while non-renewable sources accounted for 44% and the remaining 9% were supplied by imports. In renewables, wind power accounted for 26% of consumption, hydropower for 14%, biomass for 5.5%, and photovoltaics for 2.2%. In non-renewables, natural gas supplied 33% of the consumption and coal did not exceed 11%, remaining at historically low levels at the end of the year.

In November, the natural gas market maintained its ongoing growth trend, with a variation of 5.1% compared to the same month last year. This evolution resulted from a growth of 22% in the electricity market, mitigated by a reduction of 2.4% in the conventional segment that covers the remaining consumers.

From the beginning of the year and until the end of November, natural gas consumption registered a year-on-year variation of 4.6%, stemming from a growth of 0.5% in the conventional market and 13% in the electricity market, where natural gas power plants have been, with a strong usage, replacing coal-fired power plants.