Italy remained the most expensive electricity market in Southeast Europe during Week 24, maintaining a substantial price premium despite a moderate decline in wholesale prices. The average day-ahead power price fell by 3.8% week on week to €123.17/MWh, yet it remained significantly above prices recorded in neighbouring markets, including Greece (€91.53/MWh), Croatia (€92.02/MWh), Serbia (€78.22/MWh), and Türkiye (€22.85/MWh).
The persistence of Italy’s premium reflects its position as the region’s largest demand centre and a key driver of cross-border electricity flows. Italian electricity consumption increased by 319.8 GWh, or 6.7%, reaching 5.12 TWh, marking the strongest absolute demand growth among the analysed Southeast European markets. Rising consumption translated into a greater need for external supply, with net electricity imports climbing by 130.9 GWh, or 13.8%, to 1.08 TWh during the week.
Domestic generation also expanded to meet higher load requirements. Italy recorded the region’s largest increase in thermal power production, with output rising by 191.1 GWh, or 17.6%, supported by stronger generation from both gas-fired and coal-fired power plants. This highlights a structural feature of the Italian market: even during periods of robust renewable production, thermal generation frequently remains the marginal source needed to balance demand, helping sustain elevated wholesale prices.
Fuel market dynamics reinforced the same trend. LNG imports into Italy rebounded sharply, reaching 3,803.52 GWh, an increase of 34.11% compared to the previous week. The country continued to attract LNG cargoes due to favourable regasification capacity, strong domestic demand, and competitive regional pricing conditions, further strengthening its role as a major energy hub in Southern Europe.
For electricity exporters across Southeast Europe, Italy remains the region’s most important destination market. Strong demand growth, rising import requirements, and consistently high power prices continue to support cross-border trading opportunities. Even when renewable generation increases across neighbouring systems, Italy’s structural demand profile helps preserve regional price differentials, reinforcing its position as the commercial centre of the Southeast European power market.