Solar power becomes Portugal's largest electricity source for the first time

Solar energy became the largest source of domestic electricity in Portugal for the first time in July, according to national grid operator REN. Solar power supplied 19 per cent of total electricity consumption, while renewable sources collectively met 53 per cent of national demand. Hydropower followed with 16 per cent, wind power with 13 per cent, and biomass with 5 per cent. Non-renewable sources accounted for 13 per cent of total consumption, with the remaining 34 per cent met through imports. Over the first seven months of 2026, renewable sources contributed 68 per cent of Portugal’s total electricity consumption, with hydropower and wind remaining the largest contributors during the period, followed by solar and biomass. REN added that national electricity consumption rose 3 per cent year-on-year in July and 3.5 per cent in the January-to-July period.