Across Europe, prolonged droughts are undermining efforts to expand renewable energy. Hydropower plants in southern regions report sharp drops in output as rivers and reservoirs shrink. In Spain, hydropower generation fell by 40 percent last summer compared to 2022. Grid operators now warn that reduced water flows could force temporary blackouts during peak demand periods.
The problem extends beyond energy supply. Cooling systems for nuclear and thermal power plants also depend on steady water flows. France’s nuclear regulator has restricted operations at several plants due to low river levels, risking reduced electricity production during high-demand months. Meanwhile, solar and wind farms face fewer direct impacts but benefit less from hydropower’s stabilizing role in the grid.
Officials in Italy and Portugal have already resorted to emergency measures. Italy’s grid operator Terna asked industrial consumers to cut consumption by 5 percent in July 2023. Portugal’s energy minister confirmed that drought-related hydropower losses forced the country to import electricity for the first time in years. These incidents highlight how droughts can ripple through entire energy systems.
Solutions are emerging but remain limited. Some countries are expanding battery storage to offset hydropower shortfalls. Norway, with its vast hydropower reserves, is selling surplus power to neighboring states. Still, experts say these steps only delay the need for long-term adaptation. Without significant changes, Europe’s clean energy transition could face repeated setbacks during dry years.
Source: norwegianscitechnews.com