First, it was Germany that made headlines about their use of renewable energy last May 15th and now we have Portugal in the spotlight about their use of renewable energy. Portugal kept its lights on with renewable energy alone for four consecutive days last week according to The Guardian.
The Electricity consumption was covered fully by wind, solar and hydro power in an extraordinary 107-hour run that started from 6:45 am last May 7th until 5:45 pm May 11th the following Wednesday. News of the zero emission landmark comes just days after Germany announced that clean energy had powered most of its electricity needs last May 15th. The surplus energy prompted electricity prices to go negative at several times of the day and paid consumers to use traditional electricity.
According to Oliver Joy, spokesman for the Wind Europe Trade Association, the trend is spreading all across Europe. Last year it was Denmark, now it’s Germany and Portugal. The Iberian Peninsula is a great source for renewable and wind energy, not just for the region but for the whole Europe.
Last year wind energy provided 22% of electricity and all renewable sources together provided 48%. While the country’s clean energy surge has been spurred by the European Union’s renewable targets for 2020, the support schemes for new wind capacity were reduced in 2012. Despite this issue, the country added 550MW of wind capacity between 2013 and 2016. Many industry groups now have their sights set on the green’s energy export potential within Europe.
Is this trend continues in Europe, it’s not impossible for the whole world to see the real benefits of renewable energy.