Power grids to face mounting heatwave pressures

High temperatures across Europe are putting growing pressure on power grids and highlighting the need for more flexibility.

Jean-Paul Harreman, director at Montel Analytics, said the strain on energy systems in countries such as France, Spain and Germany  is “unfolding in real time”.

He warned soaring temperatures are disrupting demand patterns and renewable output.

“Solar power remains abundant during daylight hours but fades quickly in the evening – just as households ramp up usage with cooling and appliances.

“This daily shift is pushing up prices precisely when conventional fossil fuel plants need to ramp up. The result is a growing paradox: negative daytime prices, extreme evening prices and a grid caught in between.”

He warned if Europe sees more heatwaves, system stress will increase.

“Blackouts remain unlikely in well-interconnected markets, but the cost of reliability is rising. Operators may turn to strategic reserves, curtail trade flows or issue scarcity alerts – all with market consequences.”