Total hydropower production in the Southeast Europe region recovered in the fourth week of January, as a result of heavy rainfall across the region. Production increased compared to the previous week by 4 percent on average, to 2.29 TWh.
Greece recorded the highest growth in production in hydroelectric cranes, by as much as 80 percent, to a total of 137 GWh. Followed by Bulgaria and Romania, which recorded an increase of 67 percent and 30 percent, respectively. Croatia recorded a drop in hydropower production by about 18 percent compared to the third week.
Thermal energy production increased in all markets in SEE, driven by higher demand for electricity and a higher price of imported electricity compared to the previous week. As a result, the increase in thermal energy production was close to 23 percent, up to 9.57 TWh.
Coal-based production in the region increased by 4 percent, to 4.38 TWh, and gas-based production by 44 percent, to 5.19 TWh. Lignite production in Greece increased by nearly 33 percent, to 96.6 GWh, and gas production increased by almost 99 percent, reaching 218.4 GWh. Bulgaria, one of the leading exporters of electricity in the region, recorded a jump in production in coal and gas thermal power plants by 15 percent and 4 percent, respectively.
Production from variable renewables in Southeast Europe fell by about 35 percent during the fourth week of January, to 1.89 TWh, largely due to much lower wind generation, which was down 42 percent from the previous week, to 1, 52 TWh.
The production of wind farms fell in all markets in the region, except Croatia, with Greece and Bulgaria recording the biggest decline – by 58 percent and 51 percent, respectively, to 149 GWh and 28 GWh.
On the other hand, solar production in the region increased significantly – by about 24 percent, to a total of 370 GWh. Thanks to the clear weather, solar energy production in Croatia and Hungary increased by 22 percent and 14 percent, respectively. Bulgaria, Romania and Greece recorded a drop in solar production by 61 percent, 49 percent and 21 percent, respectively.
Variable renewable generation in Greece halved during the fourth week compared to the third week in January, falling 51 percent to 213 GWh, mainly due to less wind power but also fewer hours of sunshine.
