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2
Jun

Raindrops on Window

Parts of central Europe have seen less than 40 per cent of the average rainfall from February to April in 2011. Even the wettest areas have seen less than 80 per cent of the mean for 1951-2000 according to the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre.

So what does this mean for energy production?

Well, ostensibly, it could lead to huge power shortages and even blackouts this summer, with many nuclear reactors being taken offline due to record low river levels. “Recent high temperatures and low rainfall across Europe have resulted in low hydro-electric reservoir levels across the continent,” Mark Lewis, director of commodities research at Deutsche Bank said. With a large proportion of Europe’s nuclear stations relying on river water as a cooling mechanism, the falling rivers could force a halt to production against an already cautious approach to nuclear energy.

EDF Energy have delayed maintenance work on their 58 reactor fleet to ensure alternative electricity generation in case their riverside plants have to shut, as was experienced in the summer of 2003. At present, the dry conditions have not caused blackouts, but EDF have said that it lost 2.1 terawat (trillion) hours of hydro electric power in the past 3 months. Water reserves for electricity production are now just 54% full, 10% below last year’s level.

With large levels of LNG now being directed towards China and Japan, energy generation is becoming a key concern for analysts. What effect it will have on our clients’ bills is yet to be seen, but with ever increasing prices, it can only be a negative trend going forwards.

Category : Electricity Prices / Energy Companies / Energy Prices / Energy Production

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