Serbia moved from a net electricity export position to net imports in the week to 20 September, according to weekly power market data. The change came as wind and solar generation fell sharply, even as hydropower output increased. Variable renewables dropped 69.6% over the period.
Net import volumes and generation mix
In the week to 20 September, Serbia recorded 14.89 GWh of net imports. This compared with 23.84 GWh of net exports in the preceding week. Hydropower output rose 74.14% to 42.98 GWh, but it was not enough to keep Serbia in an export position.
Demand and day-ahead pricing
Demand also eased during the same week, falling 4.12% to 552.38 GWh. Serbia’s average day-ahead price declined 2.72% to €151.46/MWh. The market was the second-cheapest in the report after Türkiye.
The import shift did not, on its own, point to a shortage or a price spike, given the lower day-ahead level reported for the week. A similar generation swing occurring during a regional price surge would create different exposure for Serbia’s import position.
Implications for trading during renewable variability
The weekly figures highlight how quickly Serbia’s trading balance can change when renewable output varies. For producers and suppliers, the key operational question is whether hydro, thermal generation and imports can cover such swings at competitive prices as additional wind and solar capacity enters the system.
The data also indicate that Serbia imported power during a relatively cheap week, with the reported day-ahead price decline accompanying the shift in trade flows.
By Virtu.Energy
