Greece and Italy have recently recorded the highest wholesale electricity prices in Europe amid the heatwave that has hit the two countries (107.14 and 103.89 euros/MWh respectively), while in most Central European countries significantly lower prices have been recorded.
All involving partners (Energy Ministry, IPTO (Ιndependent Power Transmission Operator), HEDNO (Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator, power producers) are on alert, with the picture so far encouraging. On the one hand, the 3,000 MW of new photovoltaics prove their significant contribution to the system, on the other hand, the addition of the two new conventional units that are in trial operation (Ptolemaida 5 of PPC, Agios Nikolaos unit of MYTILINEOS) can offer additional power of 800 MW.
It is estimated that this year the electrical system shows strong resilience, since there are no thermal units under maintenance, while there are lignite reserves, and additional power is available from the two new conventional units.
If there is a point of concern, it has to do with imports, combined with the duration of the heatwave, given the forecasts that the Balkans and southern Italy are expected to show very high temperatures in the coming days, potentially limiting imports to Greece, since the energy produced will first meet domestic needs.
