Portugal’s solar power generation peaks at about 3.85 GW in August

On Portugal’s grid in August, solar power pushed through a new ceiling: generation reached approximately 3.85 GW, according to Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN), the country’s electricity grid operator. The peak arrived as installed photovoltaic capacity continued to expand.

The hardware behind the figure is already substantial. Portugal added 372 MW of solar between December 2025 and May 2026, bringing cumulative PV capacity to around 7.3 GW. In July, solar PV became the country’s largest source of electricity generation for the first time, covering 19% of national consumption—more than hydropower at 16% and wind at 13%.

The grid is also drawing on a wider safety net. Electricity imports exceeded 5.2 GW in August after Portugal and Spain reinforced their interconnection capacity, strengthening Portugal’s ability to rely on power from across the border. That mattered as renewable conditions varied: from January through August, REN recorded a solar productivity index of 0.82 and a wind index of 0.98, while hydropower conditions were more favorable, with an index of 1.20.

The concrete effect is a Portuguese electricity system with more domestic solar output and a stronger connection to neighboring generation. Renewables supplied 52% of consumption in August, while net imports covered 36%; over the first eight months, renewables covered 66%. This does not make Portugal independent of imports, but it gives the grid more than one way to meet demand as production changes.

Demand was rising at the same time: electricity consumption increased 1.2% year on year in August and 3.1% from January through August. REN’s figures show a system adding PV capacity while using interconnections more heavily, with solar reaching a new peak despite less favorable irradiation conditions.