Cross-border electricity flows across Southeast Europe tightened significantly during Week 27, as regional net imports increased sharply, reflecting stronger demand, weaker renewable generation and growing dependence on imported electricity in several key markets.
Total SEE net electricity imports climbed 28.2% week on week, rising from 972 GWh to 1.25 TWh. The increase highlights a greater need for external supply across the region as higher consumption and lower renewable output reduced the availability of domestic generation.
Hungary recorded the largest increase in import demand, with net imports surging 157.9% to 202 GWh. Romania followed with a 44.8% increase to 194 GWh, while Serbia shifted from a marginal net import position of 7 GWh in Week 26 to 90 GWh in Week 27, underscoring growing reliance on regional electricity markets.
These three countries were also among the highest-priced power markets in Southeast Europe during the reporting period. Average day-ahead prices reached EUR 164.31/MWh in Romania, EUR 162.04/MWh in Hungary and EUR 139.93/MWh in Serbia. Rising import demand into already expensive markets reinforces price support, particularly when surplus electricity from neighbouring countries becomes less readily available.
At the same time, the region’s main exporting countries supplied less electricity to neighbouring markets. Greece, Bulgaria and Türkiye all remained net exporters, but their export balances narrowed during the week. Greece’s net exports fell from 254 GWh to 115 GWh, representing a 54.7% decline, while Bulgaria and Türkiye also recorded lower export surpluses.
The evolving flow pattern has important implications for electricity trading. Continued growth in import demand from Hungary, Romania and Serbia, combined with reduced export availability from neighbouring countries, could sustain elevated regional price premiums. Conversely, stronger generation in exporting markets or weaker regional demand would likely ease import dependence and reduce price spreads.
Monitoring cross-border electricity flows should therefore remain a key element of daily market analysis alongside wholesale prices and generation trends. Traders should pay close attention not only to the volume of imports but also to changing flow directions, exporter availability and whether import demand intensifies during the evening peak hours, when regional supply conditions are typically at their tightest.
Market outlook: Cross-border flows continue to confirm a tight Southeast European power market. Hungary, Romania and Serbia remain the region’s principal import-driven markets, while developments in Greece, Bulgaria and Türkiye will be critical in determining whether regional supply conditions tighten further or begin to improve.