Electricity demand fell moderately in all markets in Southeast Europe in the period from 5 to 11 December 2022, except in Romania and Turkey, by 2.4% on average, to 16 TWh. This was contributed by the increase in temperatures in most countries of Southeast Europe, especially in the southern part of the region, where unusually warm weather prevailed.
The biggest drop in demand for electricity was recorded in Bulgaria, Italy and Serbia, where electricity consumption decreased compared to the previous week by 12%, 7% and 3%, respectively.
Electricity demand in Greece and Croatia decreased by 3% and 1%, respectively, to a total of 913 GWh and 350 GWh, as a result of unusually mild weather. Romania increased consumption by 6%, to 1,122 GWh, due to cold weather.
In terms of cross-border electricity trade, the region’s net electricity imports decreased significantly, by as much as 86%, to 132 GWh, which is attributed to lower demand for electricity and increased production from renewable sources.
Net import of electricity fell in all markets, with Serbia and Hungary recording a drop in net import by 69% and 19%, respectively. Bulgaria’s electricity trade volume remained almost unchanged.
Romania moved to the position of net importer in this period, from the position of net exporter in the previous week, recording a net import of 37.7 GWh. Greece and Croatia became net exporters of electricity, with exports of 43.7 GWh and 15 GWh, respectively.
Bulgaria remained the main electricity exporter in the region with a relatively stable electricity export of 186.3 GWh – it increased by 0.84 GWh compared to the previous week.
