Lisbon, June 15, 2025 (Lusa) - In 2024, Portugal exceeded 6.2 GW of installed wind capacity, with wind power accounting for more than 25% of electricity consumption. It continues to progress towards the target set in the National Energy and Climate Plan (PNEC), according to APREN.
The data comes from the latest report by the Portuguese Renewable Energy Association (APREN) and the Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (INEGI).
This progress set a modest annual growth pace, adding only 70 MW, half of which came from "repowering" - replacing old equipment with new. These figures reflect a pace of expansion that requires acceleration to achieve the targets set out in the PNEC, which aims for 10.4 GW of onshore wind power by the end of 2030.
In an interview with Lusa, APREN President Pedro Amaral Jorge emphasised that the current pace needs to accelerate. "We have more work ahead to meet the 2019 targets. Apart from a few over-equipment projects, solar has driven the recent major expansion," he said.
Even with an acceleration effort, "we will probably achieve the PNEC targets in 2031 or 2032," he said.
To try to make up for lost time, the association points to three essential measures: the advancement of contracts for difference (CFD) - contracts between the state and producers that ensure a fixed price per megawatt-hour for a certain period - for repowering projects and new investments, the hybridisation of solar and wind power plants, taking advantage of the same connection points to the grid, and simplifying the licensing of power plants, currently under review with the implementation of a one-stop shop.
In addition, the transposition of the European Renewable Energy Directive, including the recognition of the prevailing public interest in renewables over other land uses, should facilitate environmental approvals and accelerate projects.
The sector is seeing encouraging signs, despite current constraints. As Pedro Amaral Jorge explained, Portugal has good wind resources, both from direct measurements at installed sites and from extrapolation of satellite data.
“The quality of the wind in Portugal is a clear competitive advantage, especially if the transmission network is reinforced in areas with the greatest potential,” said the president of APREN.
Another strategic axis is offshore wind power, which is still in the preparatory phase.
The government is maintaining its target of 2 GW installed by 2030, and the public auction, which is essential to initiate the process, is expected to commence soon, with the government anticipating a tender launch in 2025. “I hope that the technical and financial pre-qualification will take place later this year,” said the association's representative.
The Azores region is also a strategic priority, with new projects under development. “It is essential to ensure decarbonisation throughout the territory, even on the islands, where the complementarity between hydro, solar, geothermal and wind energy can guarantee more than 85% of renewable electricity,” he said.
The report also shows that Germany, Spain, France and the United Kingdom are gaining ground on Portugal. The growth rate of installed wind capacity has declined compared to 2023. Even so, Portugal maintains a prominent position in the integration of renewables into electricity production, being the fourth European country with the highest incorporation of renewable sources, which exceeded 85% in 2024.
"Competitiveness in attracting investment depends on the regulatory and contractual framework. Wind resources alone represent only part of the equation; stable and attractive conditions also matter," the president of APREN noted.
He also warned: “If electricity consumption grows, as predicted in the PNEC to 90 TWh, and investment keeps pace, we will maintain this leading position.”
SCR/ADB // ADB.
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