[jon_smark]

The article lacks a crucial bit of context: particularly in the North and Center of Portugal, the last 8 months have been even rainier than usual (many areas already over 2000mm of rain in this period, instead of the 1000-1500mm that would be normal), favouring of course hydroelectric power generation, which accounts for a huge percentage of the renewable total.

Not to dismiss this great news, but the country is still a long way from being 100% renewable on a continuing basis. There's however a huge untapped potential in solar, so that goal is reachable if the investment happens (and grid storage becomes cheaper).

[toyg]

Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Greece -- all these countries are advantaged on the renewable front, since they can use both hydro (lots of mountains and streams) and solar, two sources that complement each other very well: droughts generate solar, rains generate hydro.

[bubuga]

I would also add that the energy cost in Portugal is one of the highest in europe, and one of the main reasons for its high cost was the investment in PPPs in renewable energy.

[davedx]

Source? I believe in EUR its the same as NL and cheaper than DE. The problem is salaries/min wage in PT are very low.

[paulojreis]

Take a look at http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/...

Eventually perusing the Eurostat database itself would give a better picture of the evolution.

[ruipgil]

Hydroelectric generation is not the major source of energy. Wind is, and I think it was that unusual amount of rain, coupled with stronger winds and the occasional good days of sun that contributed to this milestone.

Besides the sun, I think the ocean will be our safest bet. The technology seems to be lacking though.

[dbs]

Latest governments have no incentives whatsoever given that a large chunk of tax revenues is coming from the sale of fossil fuels.