Renewable Energy Generated 104% of Portugal’s Electricity Consumption in March 2018
Portugal generated more renewable energy than it needed in March, for the first time in at least 40 years.
Energy from renewable sources made up 103.6 per cent of mainland electricity consumption last month, according to data from the country’s power grid operator REN, although fossil fuels were used to occasionally top up the electricity supply.
The second-highest level of 99.2 per cent was set in 2014.
A report by the Portuguese Renewable Energy Association and the sustainability group ZERO, said the achievement was an “example” of what the future holds for renewable energy.
“It is expected that by 2040 the production of renewable electricity will be able to guarantee, in a cost-effective way, the total annual electricity consumption of mainland Portugal,” it said.
“These data, besides indicating a historical milestone in the Portuguese electricity sector, demonstrate that renewable energy can be relied upon as a secure and viable source with which to completely meet the country’s electricity demands.”
