In Week 34 of 2024, electricity demand in Southeast Europe (SEE) declined compared to Week 31, driven by a drop in average temperatures across most of the region, reducing the need for air conditioning. Average temperatures decreased in all analyzed countries during the fourth week of August, with the decline ranging from 3.3°C in Germany to 0.4°C in Spain. This led to a significant reduction in total electricity demand in the SEE region, which fell by 7.09% to 16,789.14 GWh.
Countries where the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is observed as a public holiday on August 15 saw noticeable drops in electricity demand. Italy and Greece recorded the largest declines, with demand falling by 19.98% and 9.46%, respectively, followed by Bulgaria with a 3.65% decrease. On the other hand, Serbia and Hungary experienced increases in electricity demand, rising by 9.91% and 4.25%, respectively, due to continued high temperatures in those countries.
The output from variable renewable energy sources in the SEE region also fell in Week 34 compared to Week 31, dropping by 14.8% to 2,732.61 GWh. Wind energy generation decreased significantly, falling by 20.7% to 1,206.70 GWh, due to low wind conditions across most of the region, except for Croatia and Hungary. Serbia experienced the most significant drop in wind output, with a decrease of 65.3%, followed by Romania with a 45.5% decline. Italy, Turkey, and Greece also saw reductions in wind generation, decreasing by 40.9%, 13.9%, and 12.3%, respectively.
Similarly, solar energy output in the SEE region declined by 9.4% to 1,525.91 GWh compared to Week 31. Most SEE countries saw a reduction in solar output, with Greece and Turkey experiencing the most significant decreases at 23.7% and 11.4%, respectively. Bulgaria and Croatia were the only countries where solar output remained stable.
Hydropower production in the SEE region also declined in Week 34, dropping by 10.07% to 2,578.53 GWh. Italy and Greece registered the steepest declines in hydropower generation, with decreases of 25.59% and 21.82%, respectively. Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania also saw reductions in hydropower output, falling by 16.09%, 11.61%, and 5.66%, respectively.
Thermal power generation in the SEE region decreased by 6.06% in Week 34 compared to Week 31, resulting in a total output of 8,332.92 GWh. Coal-fired generation fell slightly by 0.90% to 3,630.36 GWh, while gas-fired generation saw a more significant decline of 9.69%, totaling 4,702.56 GWh. Turkey’s coal-fired generation decreased by 3.52%, but its gas-fired generation increased by 6.18%. Bulgaria experienced declines in both coal and gas-fired generation, with reductions of 23.14% and 3.80%, respectively. Italy also saw decreases in coal and gas-fired electricity generation, down by 7.77% and 26.88%, respectively. In contrast, Greece’s lignite and gas-fired electricity generation increased by 167% and 3.37%, respectively.
Regarding cross-border electricity trade, the SEE region saw a 17.35% increase in net electricity imports in Week 34 compared to Week 31, reaching 1,464.18 GWh. During the fourth week of August, electricity exports from the SEE region decreased by 18.8% to 93.36 GWh, while electricity imports grew by 14.3% to 1,557.35 GWh, making SEE a net electricity-importing region for Week 34. Croatia and Romania recorded the highest increases in net electricity imports, with rises of 151.70% and 85.83%, respectively. Italy was the only country to experience a slight decrease in net electricity imports, down by 0.25%. Turkey shifted from being a net exporter in Week 31 to a net importer in Week 34, registering net imports of 8.61 GWh. Bulgaria, however, maintained its status as a net exporter and saw its electricity exports rise by 41.88%.
