On January 8, Slovenia’s electricity system experienced an unprecedented peak in demand, driven by harsh winter weather and a significant reduction in renewable energy output. The combination of heavy snowfall, which affected solar installations, and plunging temperatures led to a surge in electricity consumption across the country.
The extreme cold prompted widespread reliance on electric heating solutions, including heat pumps and electric heaters, which operated at maximum capacity during the critical morning hours. Between 8:00 and 9:00 AM, these factors culminated in extraordinary pressure on the national electricity infrastructure.
Data from ELES indicates that the average electricity withdrawal from the transmission network during this peak hour reached 2,299.7 MW, excluding network losses. This figure not only represents the highest demand ever recorded on Slovenia’s transmission network but also surpasses the previous record of 2,228 MW set in March 2018.
This surge in demand highlights the increasing vulnerability of electricity systems to extreme weather events, particularly when renewable generation is limited and heating requirements escalate. The incident serves as a reminder of the operational challenges faced by energy providers in adapting to fluctuating weather conditions while ensuring reliable power supply.
