Portugal increases renewable energy target!

Portugal plans to increase the amount of energy it receives from renewable sources such as solar and wind by one-third over the next 10 years, according to the government’s register, Diario da Republica.

The new guidelines have been put in place so Portugal can reach its goal of becoming a “top five” renewable energy producer in the European Union, which leads the world in clean power production. The percentage of green power produced in Portugal is expected to rise from 22.6% this year and next to 31% by 2020.

The plan, which has a goal of reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuel imports and boosting its exports, could also contribute to adding 35,000 green jobs, up from 100,000 currently employed in the sector.

Although neighboring Spain attracts more international media attention in the area of clean energy, Portugal has made enormous strides in alternatives. Last year in the sun-scorched and wind-swept Western European nation, nearly 45% of electricity fed into the national grid came from renewable sources (five years ago it was just 17%).

In December, Portugal became Europe’s first commercial customer of theNissan Leaf, the world’s first mass-market all-electric vehicle. And this year, it expects to become the first country to establish a national network of electric car charging stations.

With thanks to our friends at energyboom.com

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