Scorching Heat Sparks AC Boom and Blackouts Across Europe as Power Grids Struggle

🕒 Last updated on August 4, 2025

Europe is sweating through one of its hottest summers in history. This relentless heat has done more than just send people to the shade—it’s putting extreme pressure on power systems across the continent.

Heatwaves Turn Up the Pressure on Europe’s Power Systems

As countries face back-to-back heatwaves, millions of people are turning to air conditioning to stay cool. But this sudden jump in AC usage is creating serious problems for energy networks that were never designed for such high summer demand.

In June alone, parts of western Europe recorded the hottest temperatures ever seen during that month. Spain, Italy, Germany, and other countries experienced heat above 40°C. To escape the heat, homes, offices, restaurants, and hotels ramped up the use of air conditioning. But the surge in electricity demand overwhelmed several power grids, causing blackouts and price spikes.

According to industry data, electricity use in the EU jumped 7.5% during a heatwave from June 23 to July 3. Demand surged by 16% in Spain as the nation struggled with extreme heat. In Germany, electricity use in early July matched the country’s usual winter peak—a level previously seen only during freezing January days.

Blackouts, Plant Shutdowns, and Rising Prices Hit Hard

As the demand for electricity shot up, the ability to supply that power began to falter. Power plants in many countries had to cut down or completely stop production. Some hydropower plants couldn’t operate properly because of droughts and low water levels. France and Switzerland also had to cut back on nuclear power. The cause? The reactors’ cooling water from the river becomes too hot to use safely. Letting it back into the rivers could have harmed the environment.

On July 1, cities like Florence and Bergamo in Italy faced blackouts during the peak of the heatwave. In Florence, power went out in homes, restaurants, hotels, and shops. Some people got stuck in elevators. A large department store had to be evacuated. Shops had to close because card payment systems stopped working. In Bergamo, backup generators had to be brought in, but it took several days to fully restore power.

In the UK, energy company SSE said that its hydropower output dropped by 40% in the three months leading up to June. With rivers drying up, there simply wasn’t enough water to generate electricity.

In France, nearly all nuclear power stations were affected. Seventeen out of eighteen plants had to reduce their output or pause operations altogether. Without enough power being produced, electricity prices skyrocketed. In Germany, prices went over €400 per megawatt-hour. In Poland, they reached more than €470/MWh—double or even triple the normal rate.

Meanwhile, fuel transport was also affected. Falling water levels made it harder for barges to carry coal and other fuels to power plants. Inland energy systems that depend on rivers for cooling or fuel delivery were pushed to the edge.

Solar Power Shines, but Energy Storage Falls Short

There was one bright spot during these hot months—solar power. Across Europe, solar energy generation hit a new record in June. It was up 22% compared to last year. This helped keep the lights on during the day in many places. With the sun shining strong, solar panels produced a surplus of power in the daylight hours.

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However, this solar success came with a catch. Most of the solar power is generated when the sun is out, but demand continues into the evening when people are still using their air conditioners, lights, and appliances. Because energy storage systems are still limited in Europe, this excess solar power couldn’t be saved for later use.

As a result, once the sun set, the grid lacked enough energy, leading to shortages and higher prices. The gap between day and night power supply became a major challenge. This also highlighted the urgent need for better storage technologies to keep solar power available when it’s most needed.

While the extra solar energy helped avoid worse blackouts, it wasn’t enough to stop the crisis completely. The summer of 2025 is proving that Europe’s power systems are under growing pressure. As air conditioning becomes more common, especially in countries that never relied on it before, energy demand in summer is starting to outpace winter—a huge shift from the past.

Europe’s aging power grids, once designed for predictable cold-weather peaks, are now facing a new and unpredictable enemy—extreme heat.