These results, detailed in the latest Renewable Electricity Bulletin, show how the country is turning climate ambition into measurable results and positioning itself as one of Europe’s leaders in clean energy.

During the month, total electricity generation reached 3,935 gigawatt-hours, a remarkable 31.5% increase compared to the same period last year. This surge was powered by strong performances across several renewable technologies, with wind energy alone producing 225 GWh more than in July 2024. The generation mix for the month was well balanced: wind provided 25.2%, solar 20.4%, hydropower 20.2%, and bioenergy 5.7%.

Portugal’s achievements stand out on the European stage. Among the countries analyzed, it recorded the highest share of wind power in the energy mix for July at 25.7%, surpassing Denmark’s 22.7% and Germany’s 18.2%. This performance was also supported by healthy hydrological conditions, with water storage in reservoirs reaching 80% which is an 8.8% increase compared to the previous year. Such storage levels are crucial for maintaining supply stability and balancing intermittent sources like solar and wind.

The benefits of this renewable dominance go beyond environmental gains. On the Iberian Electricity Market, the average monthly price was €63.4 per megawatt-hour. Between January and July, there were 1,212 non-consecutive hours when renewable generation alone was sufficient to meet the entire mainland electricity demand. Over the same seven-month period, renewables generated an accumulated saving of nearly €5 billion in the wholesale market through special regime generation. This translated into an average saving of €164.4 per megawatt-hour, easing costs for the energy system and ultimately benefiting consumers and businesses.

Cumulatively from January to July, Portugal achieved a renewable share of 79.6% in electricity generation, ranking fourth in Europe behind only Norway, Denmark, and Austria. This consistency shows that the country’s strong monthly results are not occasional spikes but part of a sustained upward trend in clean energy adoption.

These figures underline Portugal’s growing capability to decarbonize its energy mix while maintaining security of supply and competitive market prices. The combination of abundant wind resources, strong solar potential, flexible hydropower, and reliable bioenergy creates a diversified and resilient system that can respond to demand while reducing carbon emissions.

As the transition continues, the challenge will be to build on this momentum by expanding storage capacity, strengthening the grid, and encouraging further investment in renewable technologies. The July results prove that Portugal is not only on the right path but is also demonstrating that ambitious climate goals can be achieved in practice. The country’s performance offers a clear message to Europe and the world: with the right mix of resources, policy, and commitment, large-scale decarbonization is not just possible, it is already happening.

Author

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes