Hydropower production in Southeast Europe increased in the third week of January compared to the previous week, as a result of heavy rainfall in the region. The total production of hydropower plants increased by 16 percent, to 2.16 TWh.
In all markets in the region, hydropower production was high, with Greece recording the highest growth during the week by an incredible 216 percent, to a total of 776 GWh. Followed by Croatia, Serbia and Romania, which recorded an increase in production by over 30 percent. Bulgaria recorded a slightly smaller growth of about 5 percent compared to the previous week.
Lower demand for electricity and high production from renewable sources and hydropower plants led to a drop in electricity production in thermal units in the region, by about 11 percent, to 7.68 GWh. Coal-based production decreased by 5 percent, to 4.16 TWh, while gas-based production decreased by 17 percent, to 3.5 TWh.
Gas-fired power plants in Greece recorded a 57 percent drop in production, while lignite thermal power plants reduced production by 33 percent, as production from renewable sources, especially wind, increased.
Bulgaria recorded a drop in coal and gas-based production by 17 percent and 2 percent, respectively.
Production from variable renewable energy sources in Southeast Europe increased in the third week of January by about 32 percent, to close to 3 TWh, mainly thanks to much higher wind production. Wind production increased by 38 percent compared to the second week of January, to 2.6 TWh.
All markets in the region recorded higher wind energy production, except for Hungary, while Greece recorded the highest percentage increase of 123 percent, to 354 GWh. Wind production in Bulgaria and Romania increased by around 46 percent in both countries.
Solar energy production in the SEE region increased moderately, by 3 percent, to 381 GWh in total. All countries in the region, except Hungary and Greece, are seeing an increase in solar production, mainly thanks to clear weather.
Romania recorded the largest increase in solar production, by 110 percent, while Hungary recorded a drop in solar production by 30 percent.
Variable RES production in Greece rose sharply in the third week, up 72 percent to 434 GWh, mainly due to higher wind production.
