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Portugal's Green Surge: 80.7% Renewables in Jan
12 Feb
Summary
- Portugal generated 80.7% of its electricity from renewables in January.
- Hydropower and wind energy were the primary sources of this clean power.
- This renewable output saved an estimated €703 million compared to gas.
In January 2026, Portugal's electricity generation was predominantly fueled by renewable sources, reaching an impressive 80.7% of the total mix. This figure represents the best renewable performance in nine months and positions Portugal favorably within the European Union's energy landscape. Hydropower led the charge, accounting for 36.8% of production, closely followed by wind power at 35.2%.
The substantial reliance on green energy during this period provided enough power for 210 non-consecutive hours to meet all national consumption needs. Furthermore, the integration of these renewable sources yielded significant economic benefits, with an estimated saving of €703 million when compared to electricity generated from natural gas.
This surge in renewable electricity production comes in the wake of a major blackout in April of the previous year that affected Portugal and Spain. While some attributed that event to green energy transitions, official investigations pointed to conventional power plant errors and grid planning issues. Experts emphasize the need for grid modernization to keep pace with the growth of renewable energy sources.
Across Europe, grid infrastructure is identified as a bottleneck for achieving net-zero targets, requiring substantial investment in upgrades. The existing grid, designed for centralized fossil-fuel plants, struggles to accommodate decentralized renewable sources like solar and wind, leading to energy wastage in some regions.
