Hungarian and Italian wholesale electricity prices rose in the week to 20 September, even as demand weakened across Southeast Europe and prices fell sharply in several western European markets.
Italy recorded the region’s highest weekly day-ahead average at €215.82/MWh, up 2.51% from the previous week. Hungary rose 2.69% to €182.08/MWh. By comparison, Germany fell 16.71% to €135.25/MWh, leaving Hungarian power almost €47/MWh above the German average.
The divergence matters to traders because lower consumption alone did not bring Central and Southeast European prices into line with western markets. Regional electricity demand fell 6.37%, but variable renewable generation also declined 8%, reducing the supply of low-cost power. Cross-border positions shifted: Hungary increased net imports while Romania’s import requirement rose sharply.
The price gap was uneven within Southeast Europe. Serbia averaged €151.46/MWh, down 2.72%, and Bulgaria fell 2.93% to €162.07/MWh. Romania was little changed at €177.36/MWh.
The week left exporters facing different price signals on either side of the region. Hungary’s premium over Germany widened, while Italy remained the highest-priced destination in the markets covered.
By Virtu.Energy
