The increase in flow on the Danube contributed to a strong increase in production in hydroelectric power plants in the Western Balkans in the period from January 23 to 29, and stocks in reservoirs are also growing. Forecasts show that river flows in the region will remain above seasonal norms.
Strong hydro and wind power production helps keep spot prices below EUR 200 per MWh.
Hydropower production in the Western Balkan countries rose to the highest level since May 2021 in the fourth week of January, thanks to increased flow on the Danube and growth in hydropower production, ENTSO-E data and local hydrological reports show.
Forecasts show that hydropower production should remain high in early February, which should contribute to the stabilization of spot prices.
The combined production of hydropower in Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina increased by 30 percent in the third week of January, and by an additional 13 percent in the fourth week, the maximum in the last 20 months – 1.37 TWh.
The increase was driven by an increase in the flow on the Danube in Romania and Serbia, as well as an increase in the contribution of storage HPPs in Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Croatia.
Total production reached a two-year high in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
In contrast, production was little changed or even reduced in Slovenia and Slovakia.
Total reserves in the region continued to grow, by 8 percent, to 5.2 TWh at the end of the fourth week, the highest level in the last seven months.
Regional electricity spot prices have stabilized thanks to low gas prices and strong wind and hydro production in Romania.
Day-ahead prices in the region during the working week averaged EUR 187 per MWh in Hungary and EUR 158 per MWh in Romania.
Futures prices for February also fell to around 150 euros per MWh in Hungary and 145 euros per MWh in Romania, stock exchange data show.
Hydropower generation in the region is likely to remain well above seasonal norms in the first two weeks of February. River levels are forecast to rise in Slovakia and remain at the same level in Serbia and Bulgaria, while in Romania they will drop slightly in the first week of February.
