In its Winter Outlook 2024-2025 report, published on Friday 15 November, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) reveals that the overall adequacy situation in Europe for the coming winter is positive, but highlights risks for electricity supply in certain areas.
The report cites remote regions such as Ireland, Malta, Crete and Cyprus, but also areas of continental Europe, such as Finland and Poland, where additional risks may be identified in the event of exceptionally adverse operational conditions “combined with cold weather and high unplanned outages”.
According to a European Commission press release, the overall supply situation in the EU remains solid and the risks highlighted can be mitigated “by non-market-based measures in most cases”.
In addition, the ENTSO-E report shows that electricity generation capacity, particularly solar photovoltaic and wind power, has increased again. It points out that the levels of planned outages at thermal power stations are comparable to those seen last winter, and that demand for electricity is expected to fall slightly.
In addition, hydroelectricity reservoir levels are higher than average due to the heavy rainfall in Europe since early spring. Gas storage is also high (see EUROPE 13516/14).
However, the report points out that the situation in Ukraine remains uncertain due to potential new attacks on energy infrastructure, despite the decision to increase electricity export capacity from neighbouring EU countries to Ukraine and Moldova (see EUROPE 13514/16).
The report: https://aeur.eu/f/ebo (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)