Southeast Europe entered the summer demand period with regional electricity demand of 15.85 TWh in Week 24, up 4.6% week-on-week. Average power prices moved in the opposite direction, declining broadly across most markets despite higher consumption.
Demand growth across Italy, Türkiye and Greece
The strongest week-on-week demand increases were recorded in Italy and Türkiye. Italy added 319.8 GWh, lifting consumption by 6.7% to 5.12 TWh, while Türkiye increased by 246.7 GWh, rising 3.8% to 6.74 TWh.
Greece also posted a notable increase, with consumption up 5.8% to 1.01 TWh. Additional growth was reported across Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary, contributing to a higher regional load profile.
Wind and solar output rises alongside higher load
Prices softened across most markets as renewable generation increased during the same period of higher demand. Regional wind and solar output reached 3.64 TWh, up 16.6% week-on-week.
Solar generation totaled 2.23 TWh, while wind production increased to 1.40 TWh. This shift in supply conditions coincided with the higher regional consumption levels observed in Week 24.
Average price declines in Serbia, Bulgaria and other markets
The renewable-driven supply environment influenced price formation across the region. Serbia saw the largest decrease, with prices down 21.5% to €78.22/MWh.
Bulgaria followed with a 7.2% decline to €93.58/MWh, while Croatia fell 7.3% to €92.02/MWh. Romania (-4.7% to €97.38/MWh) and Hungary (-4.3% to €98.71/MWh) also recorded lower average prices.
Italy’s average price declined by 3.8% to €123.17/MWh. Greece was the only outlier, rising 2.6% to €91.53/MWh, despite the broader regional downtrend.
Balancing costs depend on evening demand and dispatch factors
The week reflected a summer pattern in SEE power markets, with higher electricity demand occurring alongside weaker average price signals across most locations. Expanding solar and wind generation absorbed daytime load and contributed to lower average prices.
The evening demand curve, hydropower variability and thermal dispatch remained key determinants of system balancing costs during Week 24.