The free electricity market welcomed an additional 15,600 customers in March compared to February, as reported by the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE). Meanwhile, the regulated market saw a loss of 10,694 customers during the same period, totaling 839,257.
At the end of March, the free market accounted for 94.8% of the total electricity consumption in mainland Portugal.
EDP Comercial retained its position as the leading operator in the free market, holding 60.5% of customers and contributing to 36.9% of consumption.
In the industrial segment, EDP remained the top supplier in terms of consumption share (24.7%), while Iberdrola led the large consumers segment with a 25.5% share.
For natural gas, the free market reached a total of 1.13 million clients in March, with a net increase of 215 customers from February.
Conversely, the regulated market experienced a decrease of 657 clients from the previous month, totaling 439,778.
Overall consumption saw a reduction of 19 gigawatt-hours (GWh) compared to February, and a year-on-year decrease of 2.3%. The free market represented 95.5% of overall gas consumption.
Galp sustained its leadership as the primary operator in the free market in terms of consumption, achieving a 51% market share, while EDP had the largest number of customers (39.7%).
Galp also led in supplying industrial customers (34.5%) and in the large consumers segment (57.1%). EDP held the top spot in residential customers (38.7%) and small businesses (39.1%).
