From October 2025 through September 2026, low-carbon sources supplied about two-thirds of Portugal’s electricity consumption. Hydropower contributed around 27%, wind 20%, solar 14%, and biofuels nearly 5%. Fossil fuels supplied roughly 15%, mostly gas at about 13%, with oil accounting for around 2%. Net imports covered the remaining 19%; their generation mix is not specified, so they should be kept separate from the low-carbon and fossil categories.

Is Electricity Growing in Portugal?

Electricity consumption per person is growing: the latest 2026 figure reached about 6,280 kWh, surpassing the 2025 record of roughly 6,060 kWh by 228 kWh, or nearly 4%. This growth is welcome as electrification and AI increase demand for electricity. However, low-carbon electricity generation per person slipped to about 4,180 kWh, down 83 kWh, or around 2%, from its 2025 record. That decline is concerning: clean electricity generation needs to grow alongside consumption to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and their associated climate emissions and air pollution.

Suggestions

Portugal should expand its already substantial wind and solar generation, while also considering nuclear power as another source of clean electricity. Relevant examples include Spain, where nuclear supplies 18% of electricity, and France, where it supplies roughly two-thirds. Denmark’s wind share of 59% and Ireland’s 34% demonstrate the potential for further wind expansion. For solar, Portugal can learn from North Macedonia, where solar supplies 40% of electricity, and sunny regions such as the US state of California, at 31%, and Chile, at 24%. Combining expanded wind and solar with nuclear would help Portugal grow its low-carbon electricity supply and meet future demand.

History

Portugal’s recorded low-carbon electricity history shows substantial year-to-year swings in hydropower. Generation increased by about 5 TWh in 1977, but fell by roughly 6 TWh in 1989. The 1990s brought declines in 1992 and 1999 around a strong 6 TWh rebound in 1996. During the 2000s, repeated losses—including consecutive declines in 2004 and 2005—alternated with substantial gains in 2003 and 2006. The 2010s were similarly uneven: strong increases in 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2018 were interrupted by several declines, notably a 9 TWh drop in 2017. More recently, a decline of nearly 5 TWh in 2022 was followed by a 6 TWh recovery in 2023. These fluctuations underline the importance of expanding other low-carbon sources alongside hydropower to sustain clean electricity growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Oct 2025 – Sep 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.