In week 16, electricity demand in the SEE region increased by 12% compared to the previous week, to 14,373.05 GW. Due to the greater need for heating, electricity demand was higher in all markets, except Greece and Italy where it stayed relatively stable. Turkey registered the highest electricity demand increase by 34%, followed by Serbia (+9%).
In the same period, electricity prices also increased compared to week 15, with an average increase of 39%. The rise in the average price of gas and CO2 emission allowances and the increase in electricity demand influenced European markets. Gas and CO2 futures reached the highest levels since the first half of January 2024.
In the SEE region, the price of electricity on the exchanges rose in all of the markets. Romania and Croatia registered the highest percentage increases by 49% and 48% respectively, compared to the previous week. They were followed by Hungary, which registered higher electricity prices by 46%.
Although all SEE countries registered electricity price gains, they stayed below 70 euros/MWh, except Italy. Electricity prices ranged between 66 and 92 euros/MWh.
The lowest wholesale electricity price was recorded in Greece, at a weekly average of 65.63 euros/MWh. It was followed by Bulgaria which recorded a price of 65.88 euros/MWh.
The Italian market registered the highest average price during week 16, with an average of 91.59 euros/MWh, followed by Serbia with 72 euros/MWh.
Weekly average spot electricity prices in Central Europe followed an upward trend, due to supply risks stemming from the tension in the Middle East. Markets in Central Europe during the week posted prices between 21 and 88 euros/MWh. Slovenia was the country with the highest electricity price at 88.16 euros/MWh, while France recorded the lowest average price in Central Europe at 21.38 euros/MWh.
