Portugal produced 14,667 GWh electricity until May, 59% from renewables

  • Lusa
  • 11 May 2022

In April alone, 3,535 GWh of electricity were generated, 62.1% from renewable sources.

Mainland Portugal generated 14,667 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity between January and April, 59.4% of which was of renewable origin, according to data released on Wednesday by the Portuguese Renewable Energy Association (APREN).

In April alone, 3,535 GWh of electricity were generated, 62.1% from renewable sources.

According to APREN’s renewable electricity bulletin, between January and April, Portugal “was the fourth country with the highest renewable incorporation in electricity generation, behind Norway, Denmark and Austria”.

However, Portugal decreased renewable incorporation by 0.6%, leaving the country in fourth place.

In the first four months of the year, the electro-production sector emitted 1.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2eq), avoiding the expenditure of 1.254 billion euros in the importation of natural gas.

“Between January 1 and April 30, the average hourly price recorded in the MIBEL [Iberian Electricity Market] in Portugal (€220.2 per cubic megawatt per hour – MWh3) represents a more than fourfold increase compared to the same period last year,” the document reads.

In the period in question, 52 non-consecutive hours were recorded in which renewable generation “was sufficient to supply electricity consumption in mainland Portugal”, with an average hourly price in the MIBEL of 146.9 euros per MWh.

In April, there were 40 non-consecutive hours with an average hourly price in the MIBEL of 137.5 euros per MWh.

In the first four months of the year, the national electricity system had an import balance of 3,509 GWh, with electricity exports of around 874 GWh and imports of 4,383 GWh.