Record-breaking temperatures across Europe have triggered a surge in electricity prices, with Poland seeing prices hit 1442 zł per megawatt-hour on Thursday evening. The heatwave has simultaneously increased demand for cooling and slashed output from nuclear and wind power plants, creating a supply crunch on regional energy markets.
France recorded its hottest day ever on Wednesday, with the mercury hitting 44.3°C in the town of Pissos. The average daily temperature across the country reached a staggering 29.8°C, while night-time temperatures did not drop below 21.6°C. Similar extremes were felt in Britain, which set a new June record, and in large parts of Spain, Italy and Germany, where thermometers exceeded 40°C.
The widespread use of air conditioning and fans has pushed electricity demand sharply higher. At the same time, supply has been constrained. French nuclear reactors, which rely on river water for cooling, have been forced to reduce output to avoid overheating the rivers. State-owned EDF cut production by about 4.1 GW, equivalent to roughly 7 percent of France’s total demand.
Nuclear exports collapse, gas plants step in
France is normally a major exporter of low-cost nuclear electricity to its neighbours. But in recent days, its net exports have plunged from 10–12 GW to around 3 GW. This shortfall has forced Germany, Belgium, Britain and other countries to ramp up generation from more expensive gas-fired plants.
The situation has been worsened by a lack of wind. The high-pressure system behind the heatwave has brought calm conditions, meaning wind turbines have been producing little power. When solar output drops in the evening, the system has had to rely heavily on gas and coal, pushing spot prices to levels not seen since early 2025.
In Germany, evening prices on the day-ahead market exceeded 500 euros per MWh. In France they reached around 270 euros. The knock-on effect reached Poland, where for a short period on Wednesday evening the price briefly topped 2,700 zł per MWh. On Thursday, the average daily price settled at 1,442 zł – a level that underlines the volatility of the current market.
Businesses feel the heat, households shielded for now
For the vast majority of Polish households, the price spikes will not be immediately visible. Their electricity tariffs are set by the Energy Regulatory Office and change only once or twice a year. But anyone on a variable-rate contract – including many small businesses – has already felt a sharp and sudden jump in costs.
Companies that buy electricity directly on the wholesale market are also exposed. If the heatwave persists – forecasts show temperatures near 40°C across most of Poland over the weekend – the cost of power could keep rising, feeding into higher production costs and, ultimately, inflation.
The pattern is stark: during the sunny part of the day, with strong solar generation, wholesale prices in Poland are set to drop as low as 43 zł per MWh. But after sunset, when the sun goes down and demand remains high, prices are expected to climb back above 1,400 zł. This intraday volatility is a direct consequence of the extreme weather and the system’s dependence on weather-dependent renewables.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock
