In 2019, net domestic energy use decreased by 0.7%, while Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 2.7% in real terms. As a result, the energy intensity of the economy (the relationship between domestic energy use and GDP) decreased by 3.3% (in 2018 it had decreased by 6.1%), attaining the lowest value in the decade. The consumption of energy products by households increased by 1.7%, below the growth of 3.4% of private consumption, contributing for a reduction of 1.6% in the energy intensity of households (relationship between the consumption of energy products by households and private consumption).
Electricity production was obtained through a mix of less polluting energy products, despite the low hydroelectric production recorded in the year, with a strong reduction in the use of coal (-53.9%) and increases in natural gas (+9.1%) and non-hydro based renewables (+7.1%).
In 2018 (last year with information available for the EU), Portugal was the Member State with the fifth lowest energy intensity of the economy and the second lowest energy use by the household sector, per capita.