Lower wind and solar output tightened Southeast European electricity markets in the week to September 13, while regional demand fell. Combined variable renewable generation decreased 7% to 3.66 TWh. Solar generation fell 8.7% to 2.11 TWh, and wind output dropped 4.6% to 1.55 TWh.
Solar and wind changes shape dispatch needs
The decline in solar reduced supply mainly during daylight hours, increasing reliance on hydroelectric and thermal generation around the morning and evening ramps. Weaker wind production affected a wider span of the day because it removed output during both daytime and overnight periods.
The different generation patterns contributed to higher scarcity value for flexible resources and cross-border flows during Week 37. The combination of both technologies increased the role of flexible hydro, storage, thermal plants, and available interconnectors.
Country price moves alongside variable renewable output
Croatia saw the steepest fall in combined wind and solar generation, down 24.3%. The reduction coincided with an 8.5% rise in the country’s wholesale electricity price to €176.34/MWh, even as hydropower production increased substantially.
Hungary recorded a 12.3% drop in variable renewable output, increasing dependence on domestic thermal plants. Thermal generation rose by 33.3%, while the market price still advanced to €177.31/MWh.
Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece show mixed renewables trends
Türkiye reported a 9.6% decline in renewable generation, driven primarily by a 12.4% fall in wind output. The weekly average electricity price decreased by 8.9% to €47.37/MWh, limiting the price impact relative to other markets.
Romania was the main countertrend, with variable renewable production up 26.7%. Wind generation increased by almost 80%, enabling Romania to reduce imports sharply while meeting a modest rise in domestic demand; its electricity price nevertheless rose by 6.2%.
Bulgaria recorded a 4.2% increase in wind and solar output, while Greece saw combined production decline by 5.1%. The reductions in Greece contributed to lower hydro and gas-fired generation.
Differing hourly effects from wind versus solar
The regional data highlight that wind and solar should be assessed separately for market impact. Solar weakness concentrates scarcity into specific hourly periods, while wind volatility influences a broader section of the daily curve.
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