An estimated 70% of Portugal’s electricity needs came from renewable sources in the first quarter of the year.
The country’s grid operator REN suggested the record-breaking figure could be due to favourable weather conditions for hydroelectric and wind energy generation.
Data from REN showed power from hydroelectric stations between January and March this year increased 312% compared to the previous year, supplying 37% of consumption. Wind generation also increased 60% in the same period, accounting for 27% of energy usage in the country.
Energy generation by coal-fired and natural gas power stations fell 29% and 44% in the first quarter and electricity consumption also decreased by 2.3% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to last year.
The Portuguese electricity system exported the equivalent of 6% of the national energy usage in the first three months this year, helping the nation boost its economy.