Heatwaves put Europe’s energy systems under strain

Europe’s energy systems have come under significant pressure this summer as extreme heatwaves drove up electricity demand and forced some power plants to reduce operations.

June was the hottest on record in western Europe, fuelling a surge in air conditioning use and causing electricity prices to spike. Most of the region endured at least two intense heatwaves between June and July, Caliber.Az reports per Financial Times. 

Electricity demand in the EU rose by 7.5% during the peak heatwave from June 23 to July 3, according to industry group Eurelectric. Spain saw a 16% increase in demand as temperatures topped 40°C.

At the same time, hot weather disrupted supply. Several nuclear power plants across France and Switzerland reduced capacity or shut down due to cooling issues. Hydropower production also dropped sharply, with UK energy firm SSE reporting a 40% quarter-on-quarter decline by the end of June.

Inland nuclear plants, which rely on rivers to cool reactors, faced particular challenges. “With many rivers already hot, the plants could not discharge heated water without potentially damaging the river ecology,” said Ember, a climate think-tank.

Blackouts hit Italian cities such as Florence and Bergamo on July 1. In Florence, power outages lasted for hours, disrupting businesses and trapping residents in elevators. In Bergamo, electricity was partially restored using generators, but repairs took several days.

Kristian Ruby, secretary-general of Eurelectric, warned that grid operators face a “tough reality” and “need to be prepared”.

In Germany and Spain, peak summer demand matched or exceeded winter averages, suggesting a shift in seasonal demand patterns. “As summers get hotter at some point that might flip,” said Jan Rosenow of Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute.

Ember also raised concerns about coal plant cooling and reduced fuel transport capacity due to lower river levels.

Despite the challenges, solar power hit record highs, with generation up 22% in June compared to last year. “The surplus of solar energy during the day helped prevent blackouts. However, the use of energy storage is still insufficient, leading to reduced energy supply after sunset,” said Pawel Czyzak, Europe programme director at Ember.

Electricity prices soared, with daily power rates doubling or tripling in late June. Prices exceeded €400 per megawatt hour in Germany and reached more than €470/MWh in Poland.

In response, the EU’s upcoming multiannual budget from 2028 calls for new energy infrastructure to be “climate resilient by design”.

By Sabina Mammadli