Entering the 12th week of 2023 (March 20-26), demand for electricity continued to fall in the Southeast Europe region, under the influence of rising average temperatures. Electricity consumption decreased in all markets in SEE, by 4 percent on average and reached 1.5 TWh.
Hungary and Bulgaria recorded the biggest drop in demand for electricity, by 13 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Croatia follows, with a 7 percent drop in demand, under the influence of rising average temperatures.
Electricity demand in Greece and Turkey fell moderately by around 4 percent compared to the previous week in both countries, as rising temperatures reduced the need for heating.
In terms of cross-border electricity trade, net electricity imports across the SEE region were up 13 percent in the 12th week to 1.4 TWh, driven by lower hydropower and renewables generation.
Greece and Turkey recorded an increase in net imports by 40 percent and 9 percent, respectively, in parallel with the decline in the production of renewable sources. During the 12th week, only Italy maintained a similar volume of electricity imports of 1 TWh.
Serbia maintained its export position in the 12th week, recording an increase in net exports by 85 GWh, which is 9 percent more compared to the 11th week.
Romania and Croatia moved to the position of net importers, with net imports of 10 GWh and 7 GWh, respectively.
In the 12th week, Bulgaria was the largest exporter of electricity in the region, with a 35 percent increase in net exports to 70 GWh.
