Southeast Europe’s variable renewable electricity generation declined faster than power demand in the week ending 20 September, limiting the downward pressure on electricity prices that might otherwise have resulted from weaker consumption.
Combined wind and solar generation fell 8.0% to 3,381.01 GWh, while regional electricity demand decreased 6.37% to 16,542.31 GWh. Wind generation dropped 10.3% to 1,407.02 GWh, while solar output declined 6.2% to 1,973.99 GWh.
The changes varied significantly between individual markets. Serbia recorded a 69.6% decline in variable renewable generation, while Croatia’s output fell 54.3%. Romania saw a 25.9% reduction. Hungary moved in the opposite direction, with combined wind and solar generation increasing 3.0%, supported by a 5.3% rise in solar output.
These differences help explain why lower regional electricity demand did not translate into uniform price declines. Individual markets had to balance their own generation and consumption profiles, while also accounting for available imports and exports.
For electricity suppliers and power plant operators, the weekly figures highlight the importance of the timing of renewable generation, rather than only its overall volume. Significant changes in wind and solar output can affect procurement, scheduling and balancing requirements before their impact becomes fully visible in weekly average prices.
By Virtu.Energy
