Electricity sector in Portugal explained

In 2008, Net electricity use in Portugal (gross production + imports – exports – losses) was 51.2 TWh. Portugal imported 9 TWh electricity in 2008. Population was 10.6 million.[1]

In 2018 electricity was generated by 23% hydroelectricity, 26% natural gas, 22% wind, 20% coal, 5% biomass, 2% solar and 2% oil. In 2019 electricity was generated by 19% hydroelectricity, 32% natural gas, 26% wind, 10% coal, 6% biomass, 2% solar, 2% oil and 1% other combustibles.[2] [3] [4]

By 2023, the share of renewable power sources of Portugal's electricity rose to 61% (from 49% in 2022). Grid operator REN attributes the record percentage to favorable weather conditions.[5]

Portugal aims to generate 85% of its electricity from renewables by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, five years ahead of its initial target.[6]

Main power stations

See main article: List of power stations in Portugal.

Hydro

See main article: List of hydroelectric power stations in Portugal. The pumped-storage hydroelectricity plant at Frades works as 880 MW for generation and 780 MW for pumping.[7]

Wind power

See main article: Wind power in Portugal.

Portugal produced 20% of electricity with wind power in 2017[8] and had the average year capacity of 14% of wind power in the end 2010. Wind power capacity was 3,357 MW in end 2009 and 3,702 MW in end 2010.[9]

EU and Portugal Wind Energy Capacity (MW)[10] [11] [12] [13]
NoCountry201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998
- align=left EU-27105,696 93,957 84,074 74,767 64,712 56,517 48,069 40,511 34,383 28,599 23,159 17,315 12,887 9,678 6,453
6 align=left Portugal4,525 4,083 3,898 3,535 2,862 2,150 1,716 1,022 522 296 195 131 100 61 60

Solar power

See main article: Solar power in Portugal. In Lisbon, the energy payback time (see also EROEI) in the roof top solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is less than 2 years and less than in Sydney, Munich, Athens or Barcelona, but some more than in Madrid, Los Angeles or Ankara.[14]

Transmission

Redes Energéticas Nacionais manages the high voltage power lines.

In 2014, Portugal had an electricity interconnection level (international transmission capacity relative to production capacity) of 7%, below the recommended 10% level.[15]

Notes and References

  1. IEA Key energy statistics 2010 Page: 27, 54
  2. https://www.iea.org/reports/monthly-electricity-statistics see: Downloads → Revised historical data
  3. Web site: APREN - Production.
  4. Web site: Archived copy . 2015-07-14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150620001414/http://www.bp.com/content/dam/bp/excel/Energy-Economics/statistical-review-2015/bp-statistical-review-of-world-energy-2015-workbook.xlsx . 2015-06-20 .
  5. Web site: 2023-01-02 . Portugal's renewable energy production hit new record in 2023 . Reuters.
  6. Web site: 2023-11-09 . Portugal sets 'important' new renewable energy record as production outstrips demand . Euronews Green.
  7. Web site: A milestone for hydropower: Successful startup of Frades II, the largest variable speed pumped storage plant in Europe. voith.com. 26 July 2017. 30 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170730065254/http://voith.com/en/press/press-releases-99_76793.html. 30 July 2017. dead.
  8. Web site: PORDATA - Gross production of electricity: total and by type of electricity generation. www.pordata.pt. 2019-09-11.
  9. http://ewea.org/fileadmin/ewea_documents/documents/statistics/EWEA_Annual_Statistics_2010.pdf EWEA Annual statistics 2010
  10. Web site: Cumulative installed capacity per EU Member State 1998 - 2009 (MW). EWEA Staff. European Wind Energy Association. 2010. 2010-05-22.
  11. Web site: EWEA Annual Statistics 2010. EWEA Staff. European Wind Energy Association. February 2011. 2011-01-31.
  12. Web site: EWEA Annual Statistics 2011. EWEA Staff. European Wind Energy Association. February 2012. 2011-02-18.
  13. http://www.ewea.org/fileadmin/files/library/publications/statistics/Wind_in_power_annual_statistics_2012.pdf Wind in power: 2012 European statistics
  14. http://www.epia.org/fileadmin/EPIA_docs/publications/epia/Indicateurs_26p.pdf Compared assessment of selected environmental indicators of photovoltaic electricity in OECD cities
  15. COM/2015/082 final: "Achieving the 10% electricity interconnection target" Text PDF page 2-5. European Commission, 25 February 2015. Archive Mirror