In Week 12 (16–22 March), the renewable energy landscape in Southeast Europe experienced significant transformations, characterized by a substantial increase in wind energy generation that countered a notable decrease in solar output. This shift has reshaped the regional electricity balance, with varying impacts across different countries.
Total variable renewable energy production surged by 23.2% week on week, primarily driven by wind generation, which skyrocketed by 60.1% across the region. Key markets such as Romania saw wind output more than double, recording an impressive increase of +159.7%. Bulgaria led the surge with a remarkable +269.3% rise, while Greece also experienced significant gains at +105.5%. Other notable increases were observed in Italy (+110.9%) and Croatia (+63.1%). Türkiye’s growth was more modest at +29.5%, yet it still contributed to the overall regional expansion.
This dramatic rise in wind generation has altered the regional power dynamics, leading to reduced dependence on thermal generation during periods of high wind output. Consequently, this shift has placed downward pressure on electricity prices in several markets throughout the day.
<pConversely, solar generation faced challenges across most Southeast European nations, declining by 14.5% week on week. Greece recorded the steepest drop at -37.9%, followed closely by Türkiye at -41.1%, and Romania at -29.9%. Bulgaria’s decline was less severe at -9.6%, while Italy stood out as the only major market to report an increase in solar production during this period.
The reduction in solar output has tightened system conditions during evening peak hours, heightening reliance on dispatchable energy sources and increasing intraday volatility within the markets.
Hydropower generation remained relatively stable overall, with a slight decline of -0.04% week on week. However, country-level variations were significant: Greece (-30.44%), Bulgaria (-24.23%), and Romania (-15.89%) experienced sharp declines due to weaker inflows, while Croatia (+248.47%) and Serbia (+107.04%) reported substantial increases from lower baselines. Italy also contributed positively with a rise of +15.89%.
This divergence in hydroelectric output has underscored the importance of cross-border balancing dynamics within the region, as Western Balkan systems have provided additional flexibility amidst tighter hydrological conditions faced by core EU markets.
No nuclear generation data was available for Southeast Europe during this reporting period; thus, nuclear influence remains limited to indirect imports from neighboring regions.
The energy mix for Week 12 reflects a clear shift towards wind-driven renewable sources while solar contributions wane and hydro outputs stabilize at varying levels across countries. Market observers noted that while increased wind penetration has exerted downward pressure on prices during certain periods, overall pricing structures remain buoyed by elevated fuel costs—particularly natural gas—ensuring a resilient baseline across Southeast European power markets.
