In Southeast Europe during Week 23, demand rose while wind generation weakened and solar output was insufficient to cover evening needs. System operators leaned more heavily on hydro and thermal generation, changing the regional electricity mix. The balancing pattern reflected an early-summer setup in which hydro provided partial relief and thermal units filled the remaining gap.
Renewables fall as demand rises
Variable renewable generation declined 8.9% week on week, falling from 3,377 GWh to 3,075 GWh. The drop was led by wind, down 15.5% across the region. Solar decreased by 5.1%, while regional electricity demand increased by 8.2% to 15.15 TWh.
The largest renewable declines were recorded in Romania, Croatia and Serbia, mainly linked to weaker wind generation. Bulgaria and Hungary also posted lower renewable output, with weaker solar performance contributing. In Greece, total renewable generation fell 6.1%, with wind down 16.5% offsetting a 1.8% increase in solar.
Türkiye was the exception, with total renewable output rising 1.2%. The increase came on the back of a 61.0%% jump in solar generation.
Wind weakness affects hourly pricing profile
The decline in wind influenced the hourly price profile across the region. Solar can depress prices during midday, but wind can support more hours and reduce evening marginal pressure when available. With wind weaker, residual demand was harder to cover during non-solar hours.
This contributed to prices retaining a steep evening ramp even where midday prices were softer.
Hydropower rises overall but varies by country
Hydro generation acted as the main renewable stabiliser in Week 23. Regional hydropower output increased 10.1% week on week to 3.97 TWh. Türkiye drove much of the rise, with hydro up 15.4%, or 356 GWh, to 2.66 TWh.
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
Hydro and thermal dispatch define SEE balancing as wind output falls
