In 2023, Portugal ran on renewables for almost a week. Now, that just looks like a warm-up | The small country has quietly become a leader in renewable power.
Source: Jumpinghoops46
In 2023, Portugal ran on renewables for almost a week. Now, that just looks like a warm-up | The small country has quietly become a leader in renewable power.
Source: Jumpinghoops46
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>It’s been nearly five years now since Portugal decided to shut down its last coal plant after 30 years in service. The decision came eight years sooner than planned and showed that the country is aiming high as part of its transition to cleaner energy sources.
>Back in 2023, Portugal made headlines by running on renewables for six straight days. At the time, it felt like reaching a finish line. Looking back from 2026, it looks more like a starting gun.
>The “Sprint” of 2023
>The historic run began between 4 am on October 31st and 9 am on November 6th, 2023. For 149 consecutive hours, energy from renewable sources (largely wind and solar) exceeded industrial and household consumption needs. During those six days, 1,102 GWh of power were generated, exceeding the national consumption for the same period by over 20%.
>That week saw two major milestones. First, the grid operated without resorting to thermal power generation (fossil fuels) for 131 straight hours, tripling the previous record. Second, for 95 consecutive hours, renewable energy production exceeded consumption without the need for natural gas combined cycle plants. Portugal was able to export this electricity to Spain.
>For Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN), the operator of the national grid, those records were proof of concept.
I was just thinking that sunny countries have a huge advantage when it comes to solar power. Egypt, Saudi Arabia etc could probably run on solar all year long. Spain is also in a very good position.