Lower wind and solar production tightened Southeast European electricity markets in the week to September 13, contributing to price increases even as regional demand fell.
Combined variable renewable generation declined 7% to 3.66 TWh. Solar output dropped 8.7% to 2.11 TWh, while wind generation decreased 4.6% to 1.55 TWh.
The two technologies affected the market differently. Lower solar output reduced supply primarily during daylight hours, increasing the need for hydroelectric and thermal generation around the morning and evening ramps. Weaker wind production had a broader effect because it removed output across both daytime and overnight periods.
Croatia recorded the steepest decline 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, despite a substantial increase in hydropower production.
Hungary’s variable renewable output fell 12.3%, increasing dependence on domestic thermal plants. Thermal generation consequently rose 33.3%, but the market price still advanced to €177.31/MWh.
Türkiye’s renewable generation declined 9.6%, driven primarily by a 12.4% fall in wind output. The impact on prices was limited by the structure of the Turkish market, where the weekly average decreased 8.9% to €47.37/MWh.
Romania provided the principal countertrend. Its variable renewable production increased 26.7%, supported by an almost 80% surge in wind generation. That allowed Romania to reduce imports sharply while meeting a modest increase in domestic demand. Its electricity price nevertheless rose 6.2%, reflecting wider regional conditions and market coupling.
Bulgaria also recorded a 4.2% increase in wind and solar output. Greece’s combined production declined 5.1%, adding to reductions in hydro and gas-fired generation.
The regional figures underline the importance of assessing wind and solar separately. Solar weakness creates concentrated hourly scarcity, while wind volatility affects a wider part of the daily curve. The combination of both during Week 37 increased the value of flexible hydro, storage, thermal plants and available cross-border capacity.
Elevated by Virtu.Energy
