The report “Solar helps Europe’s grid withstand extreme heat” published by EMBER examines how the June-July 2026 heatwaves and prolonged drought affected European power systems, focusing on four countries hit by extreme temperatures: France, Spain, Italy and Hungary. It analyses the impact on power demand, generation and prices, and explores solutions to maintain grid stability and limit price spikes as heatwaves become more frequent – particularly battery storage and demand-side flexibility.
The report discusses how during June and July 2026, successive heatwaves pushed temperatures above 40°C in many parts of Europe, driving up electricity demand as air conditioning use soared, while disrupting nuclear, gas, coal and hydropower generation. Most countries, notably Hungary and Italy, experienced higher than usual summer demand during heatwave periods, mainly due to additional cooling needs. Solar production was up to 17 per cent higher on heatwave days compared to other days in June and July.
Electricity market prices spiked to their highest levels in years, as high demand after sundown combined with high gas prices. Day-ahead power prices in Italy and Spain reached their highest peaks since the gas crisis in winter of 2022/23. The boost in solar output helped stabilise grids as other power sources struggled but this was accompanied with high prices and supply scarcity most pronounced in the evenings. The report suggests how as extreme heat becomes more common, governments and regulators will need to make greater use of proven solutions, including battery storage and demand response.
Access the report here