According to the report, between January and March, there were 571 non-consecutive hours in which renewable energy production was sufficient to cover the entire national electricity consumption, equivalent to approximately 23 full days.

In a statement, the association highlights that this performance reflects the growing maturity and resilience of the Portuguese electricity system.

In the electricity market, the average price in Portugal was €41.9 per megawatt-hour (MWh) for the quarter, placing the country among the most competitive in Europe, despite most European markets recording values above €90/MWh.

According to APREN's calculations, the contribution of renewable energies also translated into significant savings: approximately €239 million in natural gas imports, €324 million in imported electricity, and €166 million in carbon dioxide (CO2) emission permits were avoided during the period under analysis.

At the European level, Portugal ranked third in the incorporation of renewable energies into electricity production, behind only Norway and Denmark.

"The first quarter of 2026 clearly confirms the structural role of renewable energies in the competitiveness of the Iberian electricity system," says the president of APREN, Pedro Amaral Jorge, quoted in the statement, highlighting that Portugal and Spain recorded the lowest prices in Europe.

The official further adds that "in a geopolitical context still marked by volatility, it is important to emphasise that, according to the European association SolarPower Europe, the production of photovoltaic solar energy in the European Union has already avoided €4.8 billion in gas imports since the beginning of 2026, reinforcing the strategic role of renewable energies in European energy security."

Based on March data alone, 77.2% of the electricity produced in mainland Portugal originated from renewable sources.

Hydropower stood out as the main source of production, accounting for 37.1% of total output, followed by wind power at 25.9%, in a month characterised by typical winter conditions and high water availability.

Even so, compared to March 2025, national electricity production decreased by 7.2%, mainly due to lower wind power output and lower natural gas use.

"During the month, the national electricity system also recorded 166 non-consecutive hours in which renewable generation was sufficient to ensure the total electricity consumption in mainland Portugal, highlighting the growing robustness of the renewable system," concludes APREN.