The European Commission convened an emergency meeting of its Electricity Coordination Group on Tuesday to address mounting pressure on power grids across Central and South-East Europe from persistent extreme heat and record-low water levels.
The ad hoc session brought together EU member states, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), relevant Regional Coordination Centres, and the Energy Community Secretariat to assess the deteriorating supply outlook in the region.
Heat and Drought Squeeze Power Generation
Record temperatures sweeping southeastern Europe have driven up electricity demand for cooling while simultaneously reducing the output of hydroelectric and thermal power plants that depend on river water for cooling. The Commission confirmed that security of electricity supply remains stable for now, but warned the situation is expected to stay tight through the coming weeks as the heat dome persists.
A key concern raised during the meeting was the need to preserve water flows in the Danube River, where several national initiatives involving physical interventions to raise water levels for power generation could have cross-border consequences. The Group stressed that upstream actions to support one country’s power plants must be coordinated to avoid starving downstream generators.
Single Market as Buffer
The coordination group highlighted the critical role of the EU’s single electricity market in allowing power to flow to where it is most needed during the crisis. Cross-border interconnections have enabled countries with surplus generation to supply neighbours facing shortfalls, effectively turning the continent’s grid into a shared shock absorber.
The Commission pledged to continue monitoring the situation across Europe and maintain regular communication with member states, ENTSO-E, and the Energy Community Secretariat. It said coordinated action would be supported wherever necessary to prevent supply disruptions.
The emergency session underscores how climate-driven extreme weather is increasingly testing Europe’s energy infrastructure. Several EU countries including Hungary and Slovenia have already issued early warning notices to Brussels about serious risks to their electricity grids this summer, just one step below declaring a formal crisis state that would trigger emergency assistance.
With the heat wave forecast to persist and river levels remaining well below seasonal norms, European power market operators are bracing for continued tight conditions well into September.
Sources: European Commission Directorate-General for Energy; ENTSO-E; Reuters
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