The extreme heat this summer has put enormous pressure on the European power system. The Financial Times reported on the 3rd that the successive heatwaves have driven up electricity demand, and the soaring use of air conditioning has led to a significant increase in electricity prices. However, due to weather conditions, power facilities are under severe pressure, and many power plants have been forced to suspend production. According to data from the European Electricity Industry Association, during the heatwave peak from June 23 to July 3, the overall electricity demand in the European Union increased by 7.5% year-on-year. According to data from energy think tank Ember, peak electricity demand in Germany and Spain both exceeded the January average in early July. Rosenno, head of the energy program at the Oxford Institute for Environmental Change, said that peak electricity demand in European history has often occurred during winter, but this situation may change as summers become hotter. Rosenno stated that this summer's intense heat waves have had a "huge impact" on the European energy system. The Financial Times reported that the electricity generation of SSE's hydroelectric power plants in June decreased by 40% month on month due to the impact of heat waves and severe drought. Inland nuclear power plants in France and Switzerland have also temporarily shut down or reduced production due to cooling difficulties caused by high temperatures. Ember data shows that 17 out of 18 nuclear power plants in France were forced to land and operate during the heatwave from June to July. Most inland nuclear power plants rely on river cooling reactors and spent fuel, but high temperatures prevent safe discharge when the river water heats up. Ember also mentioned that the cooling system of coal-fired power plants is also facing challenges, and the drop in water level has raised concerns about fuel shortages caused by insufficient barge capacity. In this context, the demand for air conditioning and other refrigeration equipment among European citizens has significantly increased. According to a report on a German television website, currently 6% of households in Germany have installed air conditioning in at least one room, and according to the German Federal Environment Agency, this proportion is expected to rise to 8% by 2030. According to Galaxus, a European shopping platform, its air conditioning sales surged 233% year-on-year in June this year, setting a new historical high. The shipment volume in the first half of the year has exceeded the total of last year. The official website of the European Union recently reported that it is predicted that the number of indoor air conditioners in the EU will surge from less than 7 million in 1990 to over 100 million by 2030.
When the EU released its multi-year budget starting from 2028 in July, it emphasized that new energy assets and infrastructure must be "climate resilient in design" to withstand extreme heat weather. Ember data shows that solar power generation in Europe increased by 22% year-on-year in June, reaching a historic high and ensuring daytime electricity supply in most regions. However, due to insufficient energy storage systems, power supply decreases after sunset, resulting in a significant increase in electricity prices. Ember's research found that daily electricity prices in Europe doubled or even tripled in late June, with Germany reaching over 400 euros per megawatt hour and Poland exceeding 470 euros per megawatt hour.
Source: Global Times
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