Wind energy grows in Portugal

In 2024, Portugal surpassed 6.2 gigawatts (GW) of installed wind capacity, with wind accounting for more than 25% of electricity consumption, but it remains far from the target set out in the National Energy and Climate Plan (PNEC), warns the Portuguese Renewable Energy Association (APREN).

The data comes from the most recent report by APREN and the Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering (INEGI).

Despite the progress, annual growth was modest, with only 70 megawatts (MW) added, half of which resulted from 'repowering' - the replacement of old equipment with new. These figures reflect a pace of expansion below that needed to achieve the objectives set out in the PNEC, which points to 10.4 GW of onshore wind power, through wind turbines installed on land, by the end of 2030.

In an interview with Lusa, the president of APREN, Pedro Amaral Jorge, emphasizes that the current pace is below what is necessary. “We are very behind in implementing the goals set in 2019. Apart from some over-equipment projects, the major recent expansion has been in solar energy,” he said.

Even with an acceleration effort, “we will probably only be able to achieve the PNEC objectives in 2031 or 2032”, said the official.

To try to make up for lost time, the association points to three essential measures: the advancement of contracts for difference (CFD) — contracts signed between the State and producers that guarantee a fixed price per megawatt-hour during a given period — for 'repowering' projects and new investments, the hybridization between solar and wind power plants, taking advantage of the same connection points to the grid, and the simplification of the licensing of electricity production centers, currently under review with the implementation of a single counter.

Furthermore, transposition of the European Renewable Energy Directive, including recognition of the prevailing public interest of renewables over other land uses, is seen as critical to overcoming environmental bottlenecks and accelerating projects.

Despite the constraints, the sector sees encouraging signs. As Pedro Amaral Jorge explained, Portugal has a good wind resource, both through direct measurement at the installed sites and through extrapolation of satellite data.

“The quality of wind in Portugal is a clear competitive advantage, especially if the transmission network is strengthened in areas with the greatest potential”, said the president of APREN.

Another strategic axis is offshore wind power, produced on the high seas, which remains in the preparatory phase.

The Government maintains the target of 2 GW installed by 2030, but the public auction, essential to start the process, has not yet started, with the executive predicting that the competition will be launched in 2025. “I hope that the technical and financial pre-qualification will take place this year”, said the head of the association.

The Azores region also appears to be a strategic priority, with new projects under development. “It is essential to ensure decarbonization throughout the territory, even on the islands, where the complementarity between hydro, solar, geothermal and wind power can guarantee more than 85% of renewable electricity,” he said.

The report also highlights that Portugal is losing ground compared to other countries, such as Germany, Spain, France and the United Kingdom. The growth rate of installed wind capacity has fallen compared to 2023. Nevertheless, Portugal maintains a prominent position in the integration of renewables in electricity production: it is the fourth European country with the highest incorporation of renewable sources, exceeding 85% in 2024.

“Competitiveness in attracting investment depends on the regulatory and contractual framework. It is not enough to have wind resources; stable and attractive conditions are needed,” argued the president of APREN.

And he issued a warning: “If electricity consumption grows – as predicted in the PNEC up to 90 terawatt-hours (TWh) – and investment does not keep up, we will lose this leadership position.”

SCR // CSJ

Lusa/End