Solar eclipse will reduce electricity generation in Europe
Next week's solar eclipse will increase the strain on Europe's power system, which is already facing a shortfall due to the heat and reduced output at nuclear, coal, and hydroelectric plants.
Analysts assess the situation as difficult and note that the region's readiness for such a disruption is insufficient.
On August 12, a total eclipse will pass over northern Spain and northeastern Portugal, while in a number of areas of the United Kingdom, France, and northern Italy the moon will cover more than 90% of the solar disk. According to an estimate by the Spanish operator Red Electrica, solar power generation in the country could decline by a maximum of 5 GW. The French operator RTE and the European association ENTSO-E expect generation in Europe to fall by 9.7 GW during the peak phase of the eclipse.
The continent is already dealing with the consequences of the abnormal heat that engulfed Western Europe at the end of June 2026. According to Bloomberg data from August 2, heavy industry is suffering because of the drying up of the largest rivers, and no significant improvement in the situation with bodies of water is forecast. At the same time, the fire danger remains high: on July 31, the newspaper Le Monde reported a large-scale forest fire in the department of Gironde, which destroyed 175 homes and devastated half the territory of the commune of Le Porge.
