Increased solar capacity allowed Portugal to exceed half this figure, while Spain, Finland and Belgium are also breaking energy records.

According to the latest data from “clean energy” think tank Ember, solar and wind power generated more than half of Portugal’s electricity for the first time last month. In April, renewables accounted for 51% of electricity generation, beating the previous monthly record of 49% set in December 2021.

Thanks to intensive solar energy use, electricity imports from Spain and lower demand, the share of energy produced from fossil fuels did not exceed 24 per cent, despite a decline in hydropower caused by drought.

“As Europe recovers from the winter crisis, the massive surge in wind and solar power is paying dividends,” says Ember analyst Nicolas Fulghum. “This spring, renewables are already mitigating the impact of drought and high electricity prices across the European Union, as well as reducing emissions. The rapid pace of deployment, particularly in solar power, promises many more records this summer.”

How did Portugal reach this record achievement and where else in Europe are records being broken?

New solar power helped Portugal reach the record. Sunny Portugal has been working actively on solar energy infrastructure in recent months and is now reaping the rewards.

Last year, 0.9 GW of solar photovoltaics were installed in the country, increasing solar energy capacity by more than 50% to 2.5 GW, which is enough to power approximately 1 million homes.

This helped increase solar power generation to an all-time high of 360 GWh in April, a significant increase compared to the previous record of 300 GWh in July and August 2022.

“Portugal is entering the next phase of its energy transition,” emphasises Ember analyst Matt Ewen (Matt Ewen). “Wind power and interconnectors allowed Portugal to phase out coal in 2021; now solar is pushing gas out of the grid.”

Compared to other renewable energy sources in Portugal, solar power has made the greatest strides in recent months. Despite relatively modest wind generation, the 50% threshold was exceeded.

Meanwhile, the drought throughout last year, which continued into the spring, caused strain in many Mediterranean countries. Portugal was affected by low hydroelectric plant capacity, and the drought also impacted energy production in Spain and Italy.

Which other European countries are breaking renewable energy records?

This spring, wind and solar power reached new records in many EU countries.

In neighbouring Spain, all-time record highs for solar energy production (4.2 TWh or 22% of electricity generated) were reached in April, with even higher records expected in the summer months when solar power typically peaks.

Combined wind and solar power in Spain was also near a record high, accounting for 46% of electricity generated. Taking imports into account, both Iberian Peninsula countries met 49 per cent of their electricity demand with these two renewable energy sources in April.

As spring began, wind and solar power hit a maximum in many EU countries. Ember reveals that strong growth in solar and wind power and consistent development this spring also allowed EU countries to reach a number of other milestones, according to Ember data.

Sweden reached an all-time high this February, as more than a quarter (27%) of electricity was generated from wind and solar power. In Finland, the share of wind and solar energy reached a record level in April – 29% of electricity generated. Belgium also saw wind and solar power reach a historical high last month; clean energy sources reached 2 TWh and accounted for 29% of the country's electricity generation.