Southeast Europe’s variable renewable generation fell faster than electricity demand in the week to 20 September. Wind and solar generation together declined 8.0% to 3,381.01 GWh, while regional electricity demand fell 6.37% to 16,542.31 GWh. Wind output dropped 10.3% to 1,407.02 GWh and solar declined 6.2% to 1,973.99 GWh.
Country-level changes in variable renewable output
The decline was not uniform across the region. Serbia’s variable renewable output fell 69.6%, while Croatia’s declined 54.3%. Romania recorded a 25.9% fall.
Hungary moved in the opposite direction, with combined wind and solar output rising 3.0%. The increase was supported by a 5.3% rise in solar generation.
Implications for power price moves and balancing needs
The different patterns across markets meant that weaker consumption did not translate into a consistent reduction in power prices. Each market had to balance its own hourly generation, consumption and import options.
The week also highlighted that exposure depends on both the timing of renewable output and its weekly total for suppliers and plant operators. A sharp production decline can affect purchases, scheduling and balancing needs before it appears in the weekly average price.