In the first week of 2023, despite the relatively warm weather, electricity consumption increased moderately in all markets of Southeast Europe compared to the previous week, by 5.4%, to 15 TWh. Hungary recorded the largest increase in consumption, by 12%. In Romania and Bulgaria, consumption increased by around 6%. Greece recorded a weekly increase in electricity consumption by 3%.
The production of hydropower in the region was reduced in this period by 4%, to 1.7 TWh, primarily due to the lack of precipitation in most countries in the region. Greece recorded the biggest drop in production in hydropower plants, by 18%, to 17.3 GWh. In Serbia, Romania and Croatia, the drop in hydropower production amounts to 9%, 3%, and 2%, respectively, compared to the previous week.
In contrast, Bulgaria reported an 8% increase in hydropower generation, to 41.3 GWh, thanks to moderate rainfall.
Production at thermal power plants increased in all markets in SEE, driven by higher demand for electricity and higher prices for imported electricity. Thermal energy production increased by 10% on average, to 8.32 TWh.
Production in lignite-fired thermal power plants in Greece increased by as much as 54%, to 111 GWh, while production in gas-fired power plants fell by 8%, to 228 GWh. Bulgaria recorded a 13% increase in coal-based electricity production.
Production from variable renewable energy sources in the region decreased by 6%, to 1.12 GWh, mainly due to less wind generation, which fell by 12% compared to the last week of last year, to 7.3 GWh. In most markets in the region, lower wind energy production was recorded, with Croatia experiencing the biggest drop – by as much as 40%, to 22 GWh. Wind production in Serbia and Greece decreased by 16% and 14%, respectively.
As for the production of solar energy in the SEE region, it recorded a moderate growth of 12%, to 355 GWh. Most markets in the region have seen an increase in solar energy production. Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary recorded an increase in solar production, by 62%, 22% and 7%, respectively, compared to the last week of 2022. On the other hand, Romania recorded a 13% drop in solar production due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Greece moderately increased production from variable renewable sources in this period, by 8%, to 188 GWh.
