Production from variable renewable energy sources in Southeast Europe increased in the period from December 5 to 11 by 11.3%, to 1.91 TWh, mainly thanks to higher wind production. All markets in the region, except Bulgaria and Romania, recorded higher wind energy production. It reached a total of 1.67 TWh.
Solar energy production in the SEE region recorded a moderate decline of 2%, to a total of 243 GWh. In all markets in the region, solar production fell, except in Greece, mainly due to cloudy weather. Hungary saw a 4% drop in solar production compared to the previous week, while Romania saw a 4% drop in solar production.
Greece increased its wind and solar energy production moderately during this period compared to the previous week, by 7%, to 266 GWh.
At the same time, total hydropower production increased moderately, by 6%, to 2,034 TWh, primarily due to heavy rainfall in most countries of the region. In all markets in the region, except for Greece and Bulgaria, high hydropower production was registered.
Croatia recorded an increase of 54%, to 229 GWh. Romania recorded a 2% increase in hydropower production compared to the previous week, while Bulgaria and Greece recorded lower hydropower production by 26% and 21%, respectively, to 52.5 GWh and 26.7 GWh.
The production of thermal power plants increased in this period by about 1%, to 10 TWh. Lignite-fired generation in Greece rose 59% to 180 GWh, while gas-fired generation fell 10% to 448 GWh as natural gas prices rose during the week. Bulgaria, which is still the main exporter of electricity in the region, recorded a drop in coal-based production by 4%, while gas-based production increased by only 0.5%.
