Portugal has quietly become a global trailblazer in clean energy and 2025 brought a series of remarkable milestones.

Breaking Records in Renewable Power

In 2024, renewables supplied 71% of Portugal’s electricity needs, up from 61% in 2023. Hydropower led the pack with 28%, wind followed at 27%, and solar’s share rose by 37% to reach 10%, while biomass contributed 6%. That same year, Portugal also hit a renewable capacity record of 10,845 MW, peaking during a day with heavy exports to Spain.

Solar Growth Skyrockets

By September 2024, solar output for the year had already matched all of 2023, delivering nearly 4 TWh by early September showing the rapid expansion of solar infrastructure, including floating PV installations at Alqueva. Overall solar generation reached 14.5% of Portugal’s electricity mix, with 5.81 GW installed by year-end.

2025: A Leap Forward

As of February 2025, clean energy supplied 81.2% of Portugal’s electricity generation, driven by wind, hydro, and solar with long-term PPAs boosting investor confidence in large-scale solar projects. By April, renewables had met between 91% and 95% of electricity demand in different months; solar alone reached a new high of 12% in May despite imports still making up around a quarter of total energy use.

Offshore Ambition & Grid Modernization

Portugal is now investing heavily in offshore wind development, aiming for up to 10 GW of capacity along its Atlantic coast by 2030 a move that could spark both economic growth and industrial innovation. In response to a large-scale blackout in April, the government also pledged €400 million to upgrading the grid, expanding battery storage from about 13 MW to a target of 750 MW, and reinforcing infrastructure in critical facilities like hospitals.

Why It Matters

Portugal is rapidly reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels with natural gas usage dropping 17% in 2024, falling to just 10% of total electricity generation, its lowest share in decades. With solar and wind scaling fast and storage expanding, Portugal is well on track to meet its goal of 85% renewable electricity by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2045 five years ahead of its original commitment.

Final Note

Portugal’s story in 2024–25 isn’t just about numbers it’s about leadership, vision, and demonstrating what’s possible in the clean energy transition. From solar surges to national grid modernization, this nation is setting a template for sustainability that others would do well to follow.