Lisbon, July 7, 2026 (Lusa) - Electricity consumption reached new summer highs last week due to the heatwave that has been affecting Portugal, according to figures released by REN.

On 2 July, daily consumption reached 165.6 GWh (gigawatt-hours), a figure that “was surpassed again the following day, 3 July, when it reached 171.1 GWh”.

According to the electricity and gas network manager, REN, “the previous record for the summer months was 163.4 GWh”, set on 13 July 2022.

The summer peak consumption set a new record at 8 p.m. on 2 July, “when instantaneous demand for electricity reached 8,493 MW [megawatts], surpassing the previous peak of 7,918 MW, recorded on 30 June 2025”.

REN noted that these figures compare with “the winter peak figures, which are naturally higher, at 197.1 GWh and 10,261 MW”.

According to REN, “the consumption figures now recorded show a trend towards convergence”, something it highlighted has been observed between summer and winter peak consumption levels.

ALN/AYLS // AYLS

Lusa