In week 37 (September 11 – 17), electricity prices in the Balkan region were back near 100 euros per MWh due to the demand drop. Hydropower output continued to drop in the period between August 28 and September 10, as an increase in run-of-river output along the Danube was offset by a sharp fall in reservoir production in response to lower demand, according to local hydrological reports and ENTSO-E data.
Hydropower production in Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia totalled a year-to-date low of 695 GWh at the end of week 37, which is 17% lower than two weeks earlier. In the same period, hydroelectric reserves in the region continued to decrease, to 5.32 TWh, 3% lower than two weeks earlier.
Spot electricity prices in the region fell in the last days of August and the first part of September, thanks to a drop in demand. Weekday day-ahead base in Hungary and Romania fell from more than 160 euros per MWh to around 100 euros per MWh. On September 8, the spot price stood at 107 euros per MW and 102 euros per MWh, respectively.
Forward power prices also fell in the weeks 36 and 37. Month-ahead base dropped by 8-10 euros per MWh, ending at 101 euros per MWh in Hungary and 99 euros per MWh in Romania.
The quarter-ahead base was down 12-14 euros per MWh, ending at 122 euros per MWh and 119 euros per MWh, respectively.