Climate Extremes Exacerbate Power Shortages in Europe

Since the beginning of summer this year, Europe has experienced persistent high temperature weather, most of which are drier than before, and the precipitation in some countries has dropped to record levels. High temperature and drought have seriously affected electricity production while causing a surge in electricity demand, further exacerbating the power shortage in Europe.

France is Europe's largest producer of nuclear power, accounting for about 70% of the country's total electricity generation. Power generation from the country's large nuclear reactors has slumped to multi-decade lows due to maintenance issues at ageing nuclear plants. Since the beginning of summer, water levels in rivers used to cool nuclear reactors have dropped to their lowest levels in 20 years, making nuclear power production even more difficult. The latest report from the French Electricity Transmission Network showed that in June, French nuclear power generated 20.1 TWh (1 TWh is 1 billion kWh), far lower than the 27.7 TWh in the same period last year.

Hydropower is the second largest source of electricity in France. According to the report of the French Electricity Transmission Network, due to consecutive months of drought and little rain, France's hydropower generation in June was only 4 terawatt-hours, the "lowest level in history" for the same period.

The northern basin, through which Italy's longest river, the Po, flows, is home to Italy's main hydroelectric power plants. Affected by rare hot weather and a significant reduction in precipitation, the water level of the Po River recently fell to its lowest level in 70 years. According to statistics from the Italian Utilities Federation, from January to May this year, the country's hydropower generation decreased by 40% compared with the same period last year.

Norway, which has developed hydropower, is known as the "European battery" and is a major power exporter in Europe. Statistics from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Agency show that as of the end of July, the national average reservoir filling rate was 67.9%, compared with an average of 77.7% for the same period in the past 10 years.

Coal power production has also been affected. High temperature and drought have lowered the water level of the Rhine, affecting coal transportation. A few days ago, the water level near Emmerich in the lower German section of the Rhine reached a record low, and the Cologne section was less than two meters deep. A local shipping company told the media that it is still navigable, but only at about a quarter of capacity.

German energy giant Uniper said power production at its two coal-fired power plants in western Germany could be abnormal until early September due to unsecured coal supplies. Germany's Baden-Württemberg energy company said the low water level on the Rhine led to higher coal transportation costs, which in turn increased input costs for coal-fired power plants.

Spain and Portugal began capping the price of coal used for power generation in mid-June, but the average price of coal used for power generation across Europe is still rising.

Due to the reduction in power generation, the price of electricity has risen sharply in many places in Europe recently, among which the electricity price in France and Germany is close to the highest level in history. Some companies worry that electricity prices will soar to unprecedented levels this winter.