Drought reduces hydropower output in Austria and Germany

Severe drought and high temperatures have significantly impacted hydropower production in Central Europe. In Austria, the Austrian Power Grid (APG) reported that renewable energy production dropped by approximately 17 percent in July compared to the previous year. Specifically, run-of-river hydropower generation plummeted by 46 percent, recording daily seasonal record lows throughout the month. While solar photovoltaic production rose by 54 percent, it was not enough to fully offset the loss in hydro output, leading to an increased reliance on electricity imports.

In Germany, the city of Augsburg is facing similar challenges. Low water levels in the Lech and Wertach rivers have reduced output for local utilities. Lechwerke (LEW) reported that total hydropower generation across its plants was roughly 30 percent below the long-term average during the dry period. The Stadtwerke Augsburg (SWA) power plant at Hochablass also saw a reduction in output. Despite these declines, operators stated that energy security remains stable as the fluctuations are compensated for by other generation types and the broader electricity market.