Portugal runs on renewables
For 107 hours between 6.45am on Saturday 7 May until 5.45pm Wednesday 11 May, all of Portugal’s electricity was supplied by renewable energy – a combination of solar, wind and hydro power.
The Alto Lindoso dam, Portugal, which serves the largest hydroelectric power station in the country. Credit: BarragemLindoso1
Portugal has overhauled its energy policy in recent years, and now takes 22% of its electricity from wind, and 48% from all its renewable energy sources. The achievement reflects a growing trend in Europe – last year, wind power met 42% of electricity demand in Denmark, 20% in Spain, 13% in Germany and 11% in the UK.
For the whole of last week, the UK’s electricity requirements were met without coal – another first. You can read more about Denmark’s energy policy here. For an analysis of the energy policies of other major countries, keep checking the Materials World website.
