During this summer’s unprecedented European heatwave, electricity demand soared as air-conditioning use hit record highs — rising by up to 14% above normal levels in some regions.

According to Euronews, while experts warned of potential blackouts, record solar generation became the key factor that kept Europe’s grids stable. In countries such as Spain, Italy, France, and Germany, solar plants covered up to 30% of total national power output on peak days, effectively offsetting the surge in cooling demand.
Transmission system operators (TSOs) confirmed that without this solar output, emergency fossil reserve units or demand curtailment would likely have been required.

The episode underscores the growing importance of energy storage, demand-side flexibility, and grid modernization. Several EU member states, including Spain and Germany, are now planning to expand their battery storage capacity to over 15 GWh by 2030, aiming to better absorb and redistribute solar generation during extreme weather conditions.

From a policy perspective, the 2025 heatwave demonstrated that solar energy is not just a low-cost and clean source — it is increasingly a critical pillar of power system resilience in a changing climate. For nations designing their energy transition strategies, this serves as compelling evidence of the strategic value of investing in solar infrastructure and smart grids.

Source: Euronews