Renewables supplied 71% of Portugal’s electricity in 2024, including 10% from solar, as production hit a record 36.7 TWh, according to grid operator Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN).
Most of which is hydro-generation, and most of that is the product of an installed base or projects started way back in Fascist days (so, half a century ago). By the way, this is way is why the year before this value was much lower - below 50% - since there was a drought in the country (which, by the way, is something Global Warming models predict will become a far more common occurrence) so hydro-generation produced way less.
Meanwhile solar generation, which should be very widespread in the country containing the capital of Europe with the most hours of sunlight per year (and yet not as hot as North Africa, hence solar panels here do do not suffer as much from heat related lowering of efficiency) has barely started going and home solar generation is pretty limited due to - as somebody else already pointed out - really bad legislation (which, knowing my country as I do, I have little doubt it’s the product of Corruption in favour of well connected companies such as the largest energy provider in the country - which, “curiously”, employs lots of politicians from the two main parties).
The country could have massive amounts of home solar - like Germany but with way more productivity due to way more hours of sunshine - but it doesn’t and solar is all about massive projects, which, surprise surprise, just happen to have the biggest payouts for politicians who need their hands greased.
As usual, my country is a shit show which only succeeds at something by sheer absolute luck and hence not at all in a reliable and constant way, because it sure as hell isn’t due to it being properly managed or having clean competent politicians.
Most of which is hydro-generation, and most of that is the product of an installed base or projects started way back in Fascist days (so, half a century ago). By the way, this is way is why the year before this value was much lower - below 50% - since there was a drought in the country (which, by the way, is something Global Warming models predict will become a far more common occurrence) so hydro-generation produced way less.
Meanwhile solar generation, which should be very widespread in the country containing the capital of Europe with the most hours of sunlight per year (and yet not as hot as North Africa, hence solar panels here do do not suffer as much from heat related lowering of efficiency) has barely started going and home solar generation is pretty limited due to - as somebody else already pointed out - really bad legislation (which, knowing my country as I do, I have little doubt it’s the product of Corruption in favour of well connected companies such as the largest energy provider in the country - which, “curiously”, employs lots of politicians from the two main parties).
The country could have massive amounts of home solar - like Germany but with way more productivity due to way more hours of sunshine - but it doesn’t and solar is all about massive projects, which, surprise surprise, just happen to have the biggest payouts for politicians who need their hands greased.
As usual, my country is a shit show which only succeeds at something by sheer absolute luck and hence not at all in a reliable and constant way, because it sure as hell isn’t due to it being properly managed or having clean competent politicians.
Well, at least it’s better than in Spain /s
I wouldn’t put any bets down on which one is winning the “most crooked shitshow” competition…