Portugal Uses Less Gas

The trend for declining gas consumption in Portugal continued last month, according to its national power and grid transmission operator REN on September 4. It said this was due to a decline in gas used by power plants, stemming from greater availability of renewable energy so far this year.

For August 2018, REN reported a 12.6% year on year decline in consumption, with gas use by power generators down by 27% offset by growth of 2.9% in the rest of the market (households/industry).

During the first eight months of 2018, gas consumption was down by 8.3% overall, with use by power generators down by 28%, partly offset by a 5% increase from the rest of the market.

REN noted that from January to August, renewable electricity production covered 54% of Portugal's consumption (of which hydropower 25%, wind power 23%, biomass 5%, and solar PV 1.6%) while fossil-fuel supplied the remaining 46% (gas-fired 26% and coal 19%); net power exports amounted to 7% of national consumption, thanks to ample wind generation.