Renewable

January 6 (Renewables Now) - Renewable energy plants have produced enough power to meet 59% of Portugal's electricity demand in 2021, data from power utility Redes Energeticas Nacionais (REN) shows.

Wind and hydro have had the largest contribution, covering 26% and 23% of the national demand, respectively. Biomass energy followed with 7% and solar photovoltaic (PV) with 3.5%. Although still the least significant in terms of volume in the country, PV sources have recorded a 37% year-on-year increase.

REN's data shows that non-renewable electricity accounted for 31%, led by natural gas with 29% and coal with 2%. The power utility noted that the last coal plant closed at the end of November.

Energy imports have helped meet the remaining 10% of domestic consumption.

In December alone, renewable power generation has supplied 66% of domestic consumption. Non-renewable sources and imports were responsible for the remaining 26% and 8%, respectively.

Portugal’s overall electricity consumption went up 1.4% year-on-year when compared to 2020, or 1.7% when taking into account temperature and number of working days, the utility noted.

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