Portugal Generates a Record-Breaking 70% of Energy from Renewables

Since the start of 2013, Portugal has generated 70% of their energy from renewable sources –a new record for a European country!  Their investment in wind and solar energies, coupled with prime weather conditions, has allowed the country to satisfy nearly two thirds of its energy needs using clean sources.  In fact, Portugal generated so much energy that it was able to export electricity; around 6% of national consumption.

Business Green reports:

The figures show that hydroelectric output rose 312 per cent year-on-year, accounting for 37 per cent of total consumption, while wind energy generation rose 60 per cent, delivering 27 per cent of total consumption.

The performance is likely to have resulted in a significant emission reductions, given output from coal and gas-fired power stations fell 29 per cent and 44 per cent respectively, compared with the first quarter of 2012.

Renewables are on the rise globally, and the transition to a clean energy economy certainly can’t come soon enough.  Even if we stopped all greenhouse gas emissions immediately, the world would still continue to warm, and even a 2ºC increase in global temperatures would be catastrophic for most life on earth (especially humans).  It’s time to demand that our leaders take climate change seriously, stop the outrageous fossil fuel subsidies, and start to seriously invest in renewables like several European nations have been doing with great success.  Portugal is a great example of what can be done!