75% of electricity in Portugal from renewables in 1H

Renewable energy sources accounted for 75.6% of the electricity produced in mainland Portugal in the first six months of the year.

This is according to the June 2026 Renewable Electricity Bulletin, prepared by APREN (Portuguese Renewable Energy Association) which found that out of a total of 25,806 GWh in accumulated generation, clean technologies generated approximately 19,509 GWh.

During this period, 692 non-consecutive hours were recorded in which renewable generation was sufficient to meet total electricity consumption—equivalent to approximately 29 full days.

In the electricity market, the average MIBEL price in Portugal stood at €48.8/MWh for the first half of the year, placing the country among those with the most competitive electricity prices in Europe; this reflects an average drop of 22.9% compared to the price during the same period in 2023.

Over the first half of the year, renewable energy sources helped avoid approximately €544 million in natural gas imports, €357 million in electricity imports, and €356 million in CO₂ emission allowances. Furthermore, renewable generation under the Special Regime (PRE) generated cumulative market savings of €3,930 million.

At the European level, among the markets analyzed, Portugal once again stood out by ranking fourth in terms of the share of renewables in electricity generation, trailing only Norway (97.2%), Denmark (94.8%), and Austria (77.2%).

Susana Serôdio, Coordinator of Policy and Market Intelligence at APREN, highlights: “The data from the first half of the year demonstrate the structural robustness of renewable energy in Portugal, which continues to supply more than three-quarters of our electricity.

However, to keep pace with growth, it is a priority to accelerate investment in modernising electricity transmission grids, introducing new large-scale storage solutions, and making market rules more flexible.

Only through such infrastructure can we ensure that all clean energy produced is fully integrated and utilized to its full value, thereby guaranteeing Portugal’s sustainability, resilience, and economic competitiveness.”

From 2016 to May 2026, installed renewable capacity in mainland Portugal increased by 9,115 MW, marking significant growth of 68.0%.

By the end of April 2026, renewable generation assets accounted for 79.4% of the country’s total installed capacity.

Between December 2025 and May 2026 alone, renewable capacity expanded by 578 MW, driven largely by solar photovoltaic energy, which saw total growth of 372 MW (comprising 201 MW from decentralized sources and 171 MW from centralised sources).

June: Wind and solar PV lead during a typical summer month

In June, 71.0% of the electricity generated in mainland Portugal came from renewable sources, amounting to 2,380 GWh out of a total of 3,351 GWh produced.

Wind power stood out as the primary source of electricity generation, accounting for 25.9% of the total, followed closely by solar photovoltaic energy at 24.6%, during a month characterised by typical summer conditions and high solar radiation. National consumption stood at 4,234 GWh, resulting in a monthly net import balance of 1,447 GWh.

During the month, the national electricity system also recorded 14 non-consecutive hours in which renewable generation was sufficient to meet the entire electricity consumption of mainland Portugal.

In June alone, €102 million in natural gas imports, €6 million in electricity imports, and €65 million in CO₂ emission allowances were avoided (equivalent to 0.8 MtCO₂eq in avoided emissions).

Source: APREN; Image: EDPR