Portugal's electricity consumption over the last year, from August 2024 to July 2025, depicts a strong reliance on low-carbon energy sources, which account for more than three-quarters of the total electricity consumption in the country. Specifically, hydropower leads the charge in this category, contributing nearly 39% to the total electricity mix. Wind energy plays a significant role too, providing almost a quarter of the electricity. Solar energy and biofuels, while considerably less, still contribute about 10% and 5%, respectively. In contrast, reliance on fossil energy remains minimal, with natural gas making up just over 11% of the consumption. Additionally, net imports account for a little over 11% of electricity consumed, further emphasizing the sustainability trend within the country.
Is Electricity Growing in Portugal?
Looking at historical trends, Portugal has experienced a decline in overall electricity usage per person, falling from a previous peak of 5831 kWh per person in 2016 to 5581 kWh per person in 2025. This decrease is notably concerning given the potential needs for future electrification. However, on a positive note, there's been a remarkable increase in low-carbon electricity generation per person, which has the latest numbers at 4292 kWh compared to the previous record set in 2024, highlighting an increase of 520 kWh. This impressive surge in clean electricity generation is promising, yet the overall stagnation in electricity consumption could impose challenges as the demand for electricity continues to rise with advancements in technology and AI.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity generation further, Portugal can focus on expanding its already strong wind energy sector. Denmark, producing about 57% of its electricity from wind, serves as an excellent example of the potential that wind power holds for countries like Portugal. Additionally, integrating solar energy expansion, akin to Greece's contribution of 25% from solar power or Lebanon's impressive 31%, could further augment Portugal's clean energy profile. While nuclear energy is not currently a part of Portugal's energy mix, it’s noteworthy to mention the success stories of countries like France, where nuclear energy contributes an impressive 69% to the electricity mix, setting a compelling example of reliable and substantial low-carbon electricity generation. Learning from these regions can inform strategic decisions to bolster Portugal's clean electricity generation.
History
Historically, Portugal has experienced significant fluctuations in its hydropower electricity generation. In the early years around 1977, generation increased by 5.2 TWh. However, the final decades of the 20th century saw substantial declines, such as those in 1989 (-6.4 TWh) and 1999 (-5.4 TWh). Even the 21st century has not been without its ups and downs; while there were increases, like the 8.2 TWh surge in 2013, there were also setbacks such as the sharp 9.3 TWh drop in 2017 and another decrease of 5.4 TWh in 2022. The most recent increase in 2025, where hydroelectric power surged by 8.4 TWh, suggests a positive trajectory and highlights the potential to stabilize this crucial component of Portugal's low-carbon energy portfolio. By focusing on augmenting this clean energy landscape along with solar and possibly nuclear investment, Portugal can solidify its role as a leader in sustainable electricity generation.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.