Southeast European wholesale power prices rose across all markets in the week to November 1, as stronger demand and lower renewable generation in several countries increased reliance on conventional power plants. The simple average for seven quoted markets, excluding Turkey, climbed 9.97% to €275.75/MWh, according to the Institute of Energy for South-East Europe (IENE).
Romania had the highest average price, at €287.26/MWh, followed by Serbia at €286.55/MWh, Hungary at €284.63/MWh and Bulgaria at €284.10/MWh. Prices in those four markets were separated by only €3.16/MWh. Greece was the least expensive market at €255.04/MWh, while Croatia recorded the largest weekly increase, with prices rising 14.30% to €270.92/MWh; the spread between the highest and lowest regional prices narrowed to €32.22/MWh from €39.36/MWh the previous week.
Demand growth and lower renewable output tighten regional balance
Supply and demand data point to increasing tightness across the region. Excluding Turkey, electricity demand rose by approximately 2.24%, while variable wind and solar generation fell by around 1.1% and hydropower output declined by approximately 4.4%. Thermal generation increased by about 6.5%; Bulgaria and Serbia saw particularly strong growth in electricity consumption, and higher gas prices added pressure in markets reliant on flexible gas-fired generation.
The figures indicate a broader tightening of electricity supply and demand across Southeast Europe, rather than an isolated national shortage. Regional averages do not, by themselves, quantify transmission congestion, balancing costs or the marginal fuel setting hourly market-clearing prices. For power traders and industrial consumers, the signal is the combination of elevated wholesale prices, closely correlated national markets and greater exposure to generation and electricity import availability as the region approaches the winter season.