Heat and electricity: Why heatwaves are changing the rules of European energy in Czechia

Europe’s energy system is coming under pressure from high temperatures even during these summer months. Rising temperatures are leading to increased use of air conditioning at a time when some power plants have to reduce or halt generation for safety reasons. The issue of electricity demand during extreme weather is crucial for the future, given the continuing trend of severe heatwaves, which can also threaten equipment.

Every summer in recent years, we have seen rising temperatures across Europe and, above all, longer-lasting heatwaves. This has implications not only for human health, but also for electricity consumption. Prolonged hot weather is prompting European citizens to adapt in the logical way: by purchasing and using air conditioning and other cooling equipment. This change is slowly beginning to disrupt the standard operation of Europe’s electricity grid.

Normally, Europe expects peak electricity demand in winter. However, this is slowly beginning to change. Between 23 June and 3 July, when one of the heatwaves occurred, Europe-wide electricity demand rose by 7.5% year on year, according to the Financial Times. In Spain, it rose by as much as 16%, at the same time as some nuclear power plants had to reduce output or halt generation for safety reasons. Temperatures can also threaten grid equipment, which may overheat or be damaged by the heat.