Lisboñ, Dec. 2, 2025 (Lusa) - Electricity consumption in Portugal reached a new all-time high in November, with a year-on-year increase of 2.9% (2% when adjusted for temperature and working days), according to REN - Redes Energéticas Nacionais.
In November, electricity consumption rose by 6.6% year-on-year, "influenced by very low consumption in that period in 2024 due to the temperatures recorded at the time," the global electricity system manager said in a statement.
Adjusted for temperature effects and the number of working days, there was a 2.3% change in November, "in line with the trend that has been observed".
By the end of November, renewables supplied 68% of electricity consumption, with hydroelectric power standing out with a productivity index of 1.33 (historical average of 1), supplying 26% of consumption.
Wind energy accounted for 25% of the supply, while solar power plants accounted for 12%, despite a 28% increase in production compared to the previous year.
Biomass power plants supplied the remaining 5%, while natural gas production accounted for 15% of consumption, and imports accounted for 17%.
In November, according to REN, "conditions were particularly favourable for hydroelectric production", with a productivity index of 1.33 (historical average of 1), while wind power production stood at an index of 1.03 and photovoltaic power at 0.86.
In that month, renewable production as a whole supplied 66% of consumption and non-renewable production 16%.
The foreign trade balance maintained its import trend, accounting for the remaining 18% of consumption.
Regarding the natural gas market, "the recovery trend seen in recent months continued," with year-on-year monthly growth of 11.3%, driven by the electricity production segment, which recorded positive year-on-year growth of 38%.
In the conventional segment, which covers the remaining customers, there was also a positive year-on-year change of 1.6%.
In the first 11 months of the year, natural gas consumption reached a cumulative annual growth rate of 13%, driven by over 100% growth in the electricity production segment, while the conventional segment recorded a 6.9% decline.
REN reports that in November, supply remained "almost entirely" through the Sines LNG terminal, with 2.5% of the gas coming from the interconnection with Spain.
In the first 11 months of the year, 97% of natural gas arrived through the Sines terminal, with the main sources, Nigeria and the US, accounting for 51% and 41% of the national system's supply, respectively.
PD/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
