Portugal Powers Past 80% Renewable Electricity — Topping the EU

Portugal generated 80.7% of its electricity from renewable sources in January 2026, reclaiming its position as the EU's renewable electricity leader.

The figure, reported by the Portuguese Association for Renewable Energies (APREN), marks the country's best performance in nine months — since a nationwide blackout triggered widespread chaos. The recovery is a remarkable demonstration of grid resilience alongside the green transition.

Only non-EU Norway (96.3%) outperformed Portugal in Europe, while Denmark dropped to third at 78.8%.

Key Facts

• 80.7% renewable electricity in January 2026 (APREN)
• Best performance in nine months post-blackout
• EU #1, Europe #2 behind Norway (96.3%)
• Denmark third at 78.8% (The Portugal News)

Why This Matters

Portugal's recovery to 80%+ renewable generation after last year's grid crisis is significant. It demonstrates that renewable-heavy grids can bounce back from major failures — a key concern for energy policy makers worldwide. With three EU nations now regularly exceeding 78% renewable electricity, the energy transition is no longer theoretical.

What We Don't Know Yet

January is a peak month for wind and hydro in Portugal; summer figures tend to be lower. The percentage of generation doesn't account for imports during peak demand. And Portugal's small grid size makes comparison with larger nations imperfect. The blackout's root causes haven't been fully resolved.

Sources: Euronews Green · The Portugal News
Published 17 February 2026 · Category: Environment & Climate