Lower wind and solar generation tightened electricity markets in Southeast Europe in the week to September 13, contributing to higher wholesale prices while regional demand declined. Combined variable renewable generation fell 7% to 3.66 TWh. Solar output decreased 8.7% to 2.11 TWh, and wind generation declined 4.6% to 1.55 TWh.
The effects differed by technology. Lower solar generation reduced supply mainly during daylight hours, increasing the need for hydropower and thermal generation during morning and evening demand ramps. Weaker wind output had a broader impact because it reduced generation during both daytime and overnight periods.
Country price and generation changes in Week 37
Croatia recorded the largest decline in combined wind and solar generation, with output falling 24.3%. The reduction coincided with an 8.5% increase in the country’s wholesale electricity price to €176.34/MWh, despite a significant increase in hydropower generation.
Hungary also saw a decline in variable renewable output, down 12.3%. Thermal generation increased by 33.3% as the market relied more heavily on conventional generation, but the additional supply did not prevent the wholesale price from rising to €177.31/MWh.
Türkiye recorded a 9.6% decline in renewable generation, driven mainly by a 12.4% reduction in wind output. Despite weaker renewable supply, Türkiye’s average electricity price fell 8.9% to €47.37/MWh, remaining well below prices in interconnected European markets.
Romania provided the main countertrend as variable renewable generation increased 26.7%, supported by an almost 80% surge in wind output. The stronger renewable supply helped Romania sharply reduce imports while meeting a modest increase in domestic demand, while its wholesale electricity price rose 6.2% to €177.28/MWh.
Bulgaria recorded a 4.2% increase in wind and solar generation, while Greece saw combined renewable output decline 5.1%. Greece’s reductions included hydropower and gas-fired generation.
Implications for flexibility and cross-border capacity
The Week 37 data show that wind and solar need separate consideration when assessing regional electricity markets. Solar shortages tend to create more concentrated periods of supply tightness, while changes in wind generation can affect a larger portion of the daily price curve.
The simultaneous decline in both technologies increased the value of flexible hydropower, energy storage, thermal generation, and available cross-border capacity. This was particularly relevant as lower renewable output coincided with reduced regional electricity trading.
Elevated by Virtu.Energy