The association said that there had been a dramatic reduction in electricity production from major dams (58% less in the first 11 months compared with last year), and a 50% increase in output from fossil burning plants.

The production from renewable sources dropped 21.1% (from 67.1% to 45.8%), meaning that until the end of November, less than half the electricity in Portugal came from renewable sources.

Electricity production is mostly being ensured by fossil fuels, particularly coal at the Sines e Pego power stations, with dramatic consequences for the emission of greenhouse gases.