There was a 34.1 percent share of Renewable Energy in Gross Final Consumption in 2020, thus exceeding the 31.0 percent target set in accordance with EU Directive 2009/28/EC," reads the article from the ADENE Energy Observatory, entitled "Portugal and the energy targets for 2020".

The entity points out, however, that according to the Directorate General of Energy and Geology (DGEG), there may still be corrections with the contribution of consumption of renewable energy sources not yet accounted for, but the adjustment should be below 0.5 percentage points, not jeopardising compliance with the target.

ADENE justifies the "significant rise" of this indicator with the reduction of fossil fuel consumption and with the replacement of fossil thermoelectric production by renewable electricity production.

In a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, the fall in fossil fuels, particularly road fuels, was due to the reduction in travel made as a result of restrictions on mobility, the agency explained.

Additionally, there was also a reduction in coal consumption for electricity production, culminating in the closure of the Sines Thermoelectric Plant at the end of last year.

Primary energy consumption (excluding non-energy uses) in 2020 was 19 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), "far beyond the target outlined according to European Directive2012/27/EU of 22.5 Mtoe", ADENE pointed out.

"The target set corresponds to a 25 percent reduction in primary energy consumption by 2020, based on PRIMES model projections carried out in 2007. This target has been largely exceeded, with an effective reduction of 36.8 percent", the report adds.

According to data from REN - Redes Energéticas Nacionais, published at the beginning of July, "renewable production supplied 68 percent of electricity consumption in the first half of the year, split between hydroelectric power stations, with 32 percent, wind power, with 26 percent, biomass, with 7 percent and photovoltaic power stations, which for the first time reached levels above 800 MW [megawatts], with 3 percent".