Portugal hit record for renewable energy in 2013

Portugal has reached a record level last year, with regard to the production of electricity from renewable energy sources. About 58.3% of the total electricity consumed in 2013 was produced from renewable sources, which represents an increase of 20% compared to 2012.

If it is only considered domestic production, the renewables contribution increases to 61.7%. In the Face of this increased production of renewable energy in the past year it was possible to reduce the share of imported electricity at about 2.8 times, according to Quercus, which translates into a decrease of 10% of the total electricity consumed.

The difference between the values in the last two years is explained by the weather conditions. According to Quercus, 2012 was a very dry year, 58% below average. In contrast, 2013 was a wet year, 17% above the average. Thus, the production of renewable energy from water resources, using the dams more than doubled in the last year.

Also the percentage of energy produced from wind farms increased by 2013, almost 20%. With regard to photovoltaics, the increase of the installed capacity in the country allowed an increase of 25% compared with the same period of the previous year. However, the electricity generated from solar energy still accounts for 1% of the total electricity consumed, "which shows a huge potential for growth," said Quercus in a press release in conjunction with the Portuguese renewable energy Association (Apren).

"2013 was a year in which demonstrated the advantage of Portugal have bet on its natural resources to produce electricity because, besides having prevented imports of fossil fuels and emissions of greenhouse gases, the fact that 60% of the electricity consumed from renewable origin be allowed to stabilize the price of this well, which is also important to help Portugal out of the crisis"says the Chairman of the Board of Learning, António Sá da Costa.

Bet on renewable save €846 million allowed

According to the two associations to produce electricity of renewable origin enabled save almost 850 million (R $ 2,731 .4 billion) in 2013: €806 million on imports of fossil fuels (natural gas and coal) and € 40 million in allowances for carbon dioxide. In total, the savings amounted to €846 million.

"The emissions associated with electricity production + totaled 13 million tonnes of CO2 in 2013, about 20% of the total emissions of greenhouse gases present in Portugal", indicate the Quercus and Learning. However, between 2012 and 2013 there has been a reduction in CO2 emissions of around 2.3 million tonnes, the statement. This value, a million tons due to reduced use of coal power plants.

To the Group's coordinator of energy and climate change of Quercus is necessary to "continue to invest in renewable energies and in energy efficiency allowing the recovery of the economy without burdening the environment." "For this we need an investment in awareness and proper planning of the energy sector also towards a desirable climate policy demanding".

Foto:   Glances of mine / Creative Commons

If You Enjoyed This, Take 5 Seconds To Share It

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google+
• StumbleUpon
• Digg
• Delicious
• LinkedIn
• Reddit
• Technorati