In March Portugal created enough renewable energy to power the entire nation

According to REN, Portugal’s transmission system officer, the nation is likely to have set a record by generating more energy than required to power itself for the whole month of March.

The country’s average renewable generation for last month was more than 103%, a rise from the previous record of 99.2% set in 2014.

Although water and wind were responsible for supplying the nation with the most electricity in March, Portugal still used some fossil fuel-powered and imported energy.

This was due to the unpredictable nature of renewable energy, with the nation relying on the alternative sources to even out supply.

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During the month, Portugal’s grid only ran off of 100% renewable energy for two periods of 70 hours, despite its four-day streak in 2016.

Portugal anticipates that it will be able to meet its mainland electricity demand with 100% renewable energy by 2040.

It is questionable as to whether 100% renewable energy supply is possible because of its unpredictability – however many nations have set their targets lower, with Germany aiming to reach 80% renewable by the middle of the century.

Denmark, Norway, and Iceland have already produce approximately 100% clean energy, using mainly hydropower and geothermal heat.