Portugal’s electricity demand hits new record, due to heatwave

Electricity consumption in Portugal reached new summer highs last week due to the heatwave that has been affecting Portugal, according to figures released by REN.

On July 2, daily consumption reached 165.6 GWh (gigawatt-hours), a figure that “was surpassed again the following day, July 3, when it reached 171.1 GWh”.

According to the electricity and gas network manager, REN, “the previous record for the summer months was 163.4 GWh”, set on July 13, 2022.

The summer peak consumption (powered by people relying heavily on air conditioning units/ fans) set a new record at 8 pm on July 2 (when the current heatwave was at its peak), “when instantaneous demand for electricity reached 8,493 MW [megawatts], surpassing the previous peak of 7,918 MW, recorded on June 30, 2025”.

REN noted that these figures compare with “the winter peak figures, which are naturally higher, at 197.1 GWh.

But, at the same time, REN concedes that “consumption figures now recorded show a trend towards convergence” between summer and winter peak consumption levels.

Source material: LUSA

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.