Electricity sector in Portugal

Portugal electricity production 1980-2019
Pego power plant
Alqueva Dam

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

Main article: List of power stations in Portugal

Hydro

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

Main article: Wind power in Portugal
Further information: Wind power in the European Union

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]
No Country 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
- EU-27 105,696 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 Portugal 4,525 4,083 3,898 3,535 2,862 2,150 1,716 1,022 522 296 195 131 100 61 60

Solar power

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]

A Portuguese street lamp

Transmission

External images
image icon 2004 High voltage grid of Spain and Portugal Archive
image icon Collection of current grid maps

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]

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. ^ "APREN - Production".
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-06-20. Retrieved 2015-07-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ "Portugal's renewable energy production hit new record in 2023". Reuters. 2023-01-02.
  6. ^ "Portugal sets 'important' new renewable energy record as production outstrips demand". Euronews Green. 2023-11-09.
  7. ^ "A milestone for hydropower: Successful startup of Frades II, the largest variable speed pumped storage plant in Europe". voith.com. 26 July 2017. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  8. ^ "PORDATA - Gross production of electricity: total and by type of electricity generation". www.pordata.pt. Retrieved 2019-09-11.
  9. ^ EWEA Annual statistics 2010
  10. ^ EWEA Staff (2010). "Cumulative installed capacity per EU Member State 1998 - 2009 (MW)". European Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  11. ^ EWEA Staff (February 2011). "EWEA Annual Statistics 2010" (PDF). European Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  12. ^ EWEA Staff (February 2012). "EWEA Annual Statistics 2011" (PDF). European Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
  13. ^ Wind in power: 2012 European statistics February 2013
  14. ^ Compared assessment of selected environmental indicators of photovoltaic electricity in OECD cities Archived 2012-03-19 at the Wayback Machine European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) 5/2006
  15. ^ COM/2015/082 final: "Achieving the 10% electricity interconnection target" Text PDF page 2-5. European Commission, 25 February 2015. Archive Mirror