Hydropower generation across Germany and the Netherlands is falling sharply as drought cripples river systems, pushing Dutch electricity prices to more than double their level a month ago.
EnBW's run-of-river plants produced only 80 percent of their reference output through June, with June alone reaching just 63 percent. Smaller facilities on tributaries including the Kocher, Enz, and Jagst rivers have been taken offline or restricted, while the Neckar plants generated only 61 percent of capacity last month. In the Netherlands, electricity prices have climbed to between 150 and 200 euros per megawatt-hour, up from roughly 80 euros last month, as cooling-water shortages strain the energy system.
The crisis deepens after nuclear shutdowns and record-low rivers forced emergency measures across central Europe, with hydropower now delivering roughly 30 percent less electricity than usual for this time of year. Water temperatures on the Meuse have reached 25 degrees Celsius at Maastricht, compounding pressure on thermal plants in France, Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria.