# Southeast Europe energy market evolution

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/southeast-europe-energy-market-evolution
> Updated: 2026-10-01T14:03:04.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

Energy investments in Southeast Europe are projected to reach 711 billion euros by 2035, with a primary focus on electricity generation. In Greece, while fuel prices have risen significantly, the country has transitioned into a net exporter of electricity as imports dropped and exports increased.

As the regional energy market evolves, it is facing structural challenges related to renewable energy integration. In Croatia, producers have encountered over 200 hours of negative electricity prices, necessitating a shift toward active production management. In Greece, the rapid expansion of renewable energy is currently outpacing available storage capacity. This lack of battery systems is estimated to cost the system approximately 1 billion euros annually due to the curtailment of green energy.

A report by the Institute of Southeast European Energy (IENE), titled ‘Southeast Europe Energy Review 2025/2026’, reinforces these investment projections, noting that potential new infrastructure investments could exceed 700 billion euros by 2035. Presented at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, the study analyzes 16 countries and emphasizes that the energy transition must be treated as a “collective regional effort rather than isolated national projects” to ensure security, accessibility, and sustainability. Experts further highlight the necessity for the region to develop local industrial capabilities, skills, and knowledge to retain a significant portion of these investments.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-01: Southeast Europe energy investment potential exceeds 700 billion euros

An IENE study projects that Southeast Europe could see over 700 billion euros in energy infrastructure investments by 2035, requiring regional cooperation and industrial development.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southeast-europe-energy-investment-potential-exceeds-700-billion-euros

### 2026-09-17: Renewable energy markets face challenges from negative prices and storage shortages

Negative electricity prices and insufficient battery storage are transforming renewable energy markets in Southeast Europe, causing significant economic losses and forcing producers to adopt active management.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/renewable-energy-markets-face-challenges-from-negative-prices-and-storage-shortages

### 2026-09-16: Southeast Europe energy investments to reach 711 billion euros by 2035

Energy investments in Southeast Europe are expected to hit 711 billion euros by 2035, while high fuel prices drive a 40.5% surge in EU electric vehicle sales during the first half of 2026.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southeast-europe-energy-investments-to-reach-711-billion-euros-by-2035

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Cite as: Southeast Europe energy market evolution. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/southeast-europe-energy-market-evolution