During scorching heat waves that broke temperature records and caused a big need for air conditioning, the significant increase in solar power in southern Europe played a crucial role in stopping energy shortages. Solar energy works well for dealing with summer heat because it’s strongest when it’s hottest outside and people need the most electricity for cooling.
Kristian Ruby, Secretary General of the electricity industry association Eurelectric, highlighted the remarkable expansion of solar power as a compensatory measure for the peaks driven by air conditioning, particularly noting the case of Spain. Spain and Greece, in response to record-high energy prices in the previous year and heightened energy security concerns linked to geopolitical events, substantially ramped up their solar panel installations.
Spain achieved a historic milestone by adding 4.5 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity in the preceding year, leading to a July solar energy output that exceeded all previous records, according to Red Electrica, the Spanish electricity grid operator. Statistical data from Ember showcased solar’s contribution to Spain’s electricity mix, indicating an increase from 16% in July 2022 to nearly 24% in July 2023.
During a peak in power demand in Sicily on July 24, when temperatures soared and cooling needs surged, solar power covered nearly half of the excess demand—1.3 GW out of a total of 2.6 GW—according to Refinitiv data. The island’s solar production during the previous month was more than double that of July 2022. Refinitiv power analyst Nathalie Gerl emphasized the critical role solar played in maintaining system stability under such demanding conditions.
While solar power has proven to be a stabilizing force, it alone cannot fully support grids during severe strain. Instances of power and water supply disruptions, attributed partly to extreme heat, have been reported in areas such as Catania, Italy, and Athens, Greece. However, the increased solar output significantly contributed to meeting power demand in both countries. During Greece’s peak power demand on July 24, solar photovoltaics covered 3.5 GW of the total 10.35 GW demand, as indicated by the grid operator IPTO.
Remarkably, even in less sunny regions like Belgium, solar energy has fulfilled over 100% of the additional energy required during midday spikes in power demand.
Despite its rapid growth, solar energy remains a relatively small portion of most countries’ power mixes, where sources like wind, gas, coal, and nuclear power traditionally shoulder the bulk of the annual demand. Analysts attribute Europe’s energy system’s resilience this summer to a second factor: comparatively subdued power demand. Since the energy crisis triggered by reduced gas deliveries from Russia the previous year, energy prices have remained elevated, prompting consumers and industries to curtail usage.
Although extreme heatwaves punctuated this trend occasionally, overall power demand remained below historical averages. Refinitiv data demonstrated that Italy’s average hourly power consumption in July decreased by 4.4% compared to the same month in 2022, while Spain’s declined by 3.6%. Nathalie Gerl from Refinitiv emphasized that the manageable situation was largely due to the prevailing low power demand environment.
As the ramifications of climate change intensify, experts in the field of climate science predict a future marked by increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves throughout southern Europe. This alarming projection places additional stress on the region’s energy infrastructure, highlighting its vulnerability to extreme weather events. Recognizing these challenges, Simone Tagliapietra, a distinguished senior fellow at the think tank Bruegel, emphasizes the imperative for swift and substantial investments in bolstering energy grids. To effectively address this issue and align with ambitious climate objectives, Tagliapietra advocates for the integration of solar energy with advanced energy storage systems, creating a synergy that can fortify energy resilience in the face of a changing climate.
In a collective appeal to the European Commission, industry groups, including SolarPower Europe, urged policymakers to expedite grid investments and champion initiatives that integrate solar power with energy storage, ensuring that solar’s expansion aligns with climate objectives.
Source: The Print