Portugal’s rapid expansion of renewable energy is reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, but gas-fired power plants are expected to remain important for maintaining grid stability, according to GlobalData.
GlobalData’s latest report projects Portugal’s electricity demand to rise from 53 TWh in 2025 to around 57.3 TWh by 2030, while solar, wind and hydropower capacity continues to grow.
The company said gas-fired plants will increasingly serve as flexible backup during periods of low wind and solar generation or hydropower shortages, although their overall utilization is expected to decline.
GlobalData Power Analyst Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan said Portugal will need greater investment in energy storage, grid interconnections and flexible generation to prevent renewable growth from creating reliability challenges.
Grid congestion and lengthy permitting procedures are already delaying renewable projects.
