Lisbon, May 4, 2026 (Lusa) – Electricity consumption rose 3.5% year-on-year between January and April, or 3.4% when adjusted for temperature effects and the number of working days, according to REN, Portugal's electricity and gas network operator.
Renewable energy supplied approximately 76% of consumption during the first four months of the year. Hydroelectric power accounted for 34%, followed by wind at 29%, photovoltaic at 8%, and biomass at 5%. During this period, the hydroelectric productivity index stood at 1.32, wind at 1.06, and solar at 0.71. Natural gas production represented 16% of consumption, while the balance of trade with foreign markets ensured the remaining 8%.
In April, electricity consumption grew 2.4% compared to the same month last year, or 1.7% when corrected for temperature and working days. Productivity indices fell below the historical average of 1, with the most significant impact on hydroelectric power, which recorded an index of 0.57. Wind production reached an index of 0.72, and solar stood at 0.84.
Last month, renewables guaranteed 60% of electricity consumption, while non-renewable production represented 14%. The remaining 26% of consumption came from imports.
The natural gas market maintained its recent upward trend in April, with a year-on-year increase of 16%. This resulted from growth in the electricity production segment, which recorded a year-on-year variation of 94%. Conversely, the conventional segment, covering all other consumers, saw a 1.3% decrease.
The Sines LNG terminal provided the entire supply, with gas originating from Nigeria (62%) and the US (38%).
Through interconnections with Spain, Portugal exported the equivalent of approximately 26% of national electricity consumption.
At the end of April, cumulative annual natural gas consumption showed year-on-year growth of 14% driven by a 60% increase in electricity production, while the conventional segment recorded a 0.1% reduction, consistent with previous year's figure.
Between January and April, the Sines terminal supplied 88% of national gas consumption, primarily from Nigeria (50%), the US (42%), and Russia (8%). Interconnections with Spain ensured the remaining 12%.
CT/RYOL // AYLS
Lusa
