Turbine Twister: Storm Martinho Breaks Wind Power Records in Portugal

Wind-powered electricity generation in Portugal has reached record levels, driven by the powerful gusts from Storm Martinho.

The combined daily output of electricity from wind power amounted to 112.4 gigawatt-hours, according to Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN), the energy firm and national grid operator, which announced this figure on Thursday.

The Martinho low pressure system facilitated a peak wind power capacity of 5080 MW at 12:15 PM, REN stated in an official release .

On Wednesday, wind power generated enough electricity to meet 56% of the nation’s demand, according to the national grid operator. Additionally, renewables as a whole accounted for providing 92% of the country's electrical requirements on that day.

Throughout this year, renewables have made up 79% of Portugal's total energy usage, with these figures comprising 39% from hydroelectric sources, 28% derived from wind power, 7% coming from solar energy, and 5% produced via biomass.

These records show that Portugal has consistently followed a sustainable path in gradually integrating indigenous renewable resources. This was achieved without compromising the main goals of ensuring a reliable energy supply and delivering high-quality services within the National Electricity System, including during challenging conditions like those experienced yesterday, according to REN.

In the previous month, renewables accounted for 78% of the electricity used in Portugal.

In January, circumstances were again highly conducive to hydropower generation, resulting in a production index of 1.28. This figure exceeds Portugal's historical average of one.

However, at the opposite end of the spectrum, REN indicates that circumstances were largely unfavorable for both wind and photovoltaic energy production, with their corresponding indexes standing at 0.71 and 0.83, respectively.

Regarding solar energy, the ongoing rise in installed capacity has facilitated sustained yearly expansion (at 27%), leading to unprecedented peak deliveries to the grid of approximately 2,800 MW.

In January and February, the hydroelectric capacity index was 1.25, wind power was 1.00, and solar power was 0.82.