The isolation of Portugal’s electricity grid hinders the growth of renewable energy sources, according to a recent report by GlobalData. Storage will play a key role if the country hopes to meet its solar and renewable energy installation targets, it says.
“In recent years, with the increase in renewable energy and massive hydropower capacity, Portugal has produced more electricity than its actual consumption,” GlobalData said in a statement. “However, because it only has a grid connection to Spain, the excess electricity generated without a strong connected energy grid or plenty of storage could be wasted.”
Solar energy has been the fastest growing renewable energy source in Portugal since 2013, with cumulative installed capacity falling 2.59 GW at the end of 2022. The country’s goal is to add 2.57 GW of new solar power capacity by the end of 2023 in accordance with the national energy conservation plan.
The share of renewable energy sources in Portugal increased from 7.9% in 2000 to 30.2% in 2010 and 43.3% in 2021. The Portuguese government set the goal of producing 47% of its electricity in its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) 2021-2030. gross final consumption of energy from renewable sources by 2030.
However, according to GlobalData, the country will only achieve these goals with large investments in storage solutions and upgrades to the national grid.
“With energy storage solutions and a robust grid system, the country can reduce electricity imports, improve efficiency, increase renewable generation and meet its climate goals,” said Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan, power analyst at GlobalData.
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