Weekly market data show Croatia recorded Southeast Europe’s largest weekly increase in average day-ahead electricity prices in the week to November 1. The average rose 14.30%, or €33.89/MWh, to €270.92/MWh, despite higher variable renewable output and a sharp reduction in net imports.
Variable renewable generation climbed 86.1%, mainly on higher wind generation, while hydropower generation fell 34.05%. Electricity demand increased 1.00%, and net electricity imports contracted 45.85% to 82.01 GWh.
Despite those changes, Croatia’s wholesale price rose more sharply than prices in neighbouring markets. Its premium over Greece widened to €15.88/MWh, from €7.61/MWh the previous week.
The divergence suggests neighbouring market prices and the value of particular delivery hours can weigh more on weekly prices than domestic renewable generation totals alone. Available information does not provide an hourly breakdown of Croatian import costs or identify the precise effects of congestion and market coupling.
For renewable investors, higher generation volumes do not necessarily translate into lower or more stable realised market prices. Croatia’s figures show that increased renewable output coincided with a steep rise in the average day-ahead price.
