European Drought Slashes Hydropower Output Across Alpine Nations
A prolonged heatwave and scarce rainfall have driven river levels in the Alps and the Danube basin to historic lows, sharply curtailing hydroelectric generation. In July, Austria’s water‑power output fell to about 51 % of its 15‑year average and Switzerland’s to 48 %, while Germany and France recorded 63 % and 68 % of normal levels respectively. Slovenia’s main operator, Slovenske Elektrarne, expects a 39 % drop versus July 2025 and a 52 % shortfall against the five‑year average, with flows on the Drava, Soča and Sava rivers near decade‑low values.
The shortfall has forced emergency measures: Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant and Romania’s Cernavodă reactor were temporarily shut because the Danube’s cooling water fell below safe levels. Serbia’s Iron Gate 1 plant is operating at only 20 % of capacity. Across the EU, gas‑fired generation rose 8 % in 2025 compared with 2024, and analysts recommend “hybridisation” – integrating wind, solar and storage at grid connection points – to offset the loss of renewable hydro power.
Michael Strugl, chief executive of Austria’s Verbund, warned that the company’s plants are processing roughly one‑third less water than normal, marking 2026 as the driest year on record for its facilities.
Entities: Danube River · Michael Strugl · Paks Nuclear Power Plant · Slovenske Elektrarne · Verbund
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Neckar hydro plants produced about 83 % of possible output year‑to‑date and 61 % in June. (EnBW)
- [● 2 SOURCES] EnBW's run‑of‑river hydro plants in Germany are producing about 80 % of the reference output for the year to the end of June. (EnBW)
- [● 2 SOURCES] In June, EnBW's run‑of‑river hydro output fell to 63 % of the reference level. (EnBW)
- [● 2 SOURCES] EnBW and its subsidiaries operate hydro facilities at 130 sites across Germany. (EnBW)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Austria's energy ministry says the shortfall is compensated by photovoltaics and pumped‑storage plants, with no impact on supply security expected. (Austrian Energy and Economy Ministry)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Low water flow in the Danube in Austria has reduced electricity generation from run‑of‑river hydro plants below the seasonal average. (Austrian Energy and Economy Ministry)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Some smaller tributary hydro plants on rivers such as the Kocher, Enz, Jagst, Nagold and Untere Argen are offline or operating at reduced capacity due to low water levels. (EnBW)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Iffezheim Rhine hydro plant produced about 83 % of its reference output year‑to‑date and 70 % in June. (EnBW)