Renewables
European solar output rises in October despite storms
Above-average solar irradiance boosted photovoltaic production across much of Europe in October, although severe storms and cloud cover disrupted generation in the south and east.
Key points
- Irradiance levels exceeded seasonal averages by up to 25% across central Europe and the Baltic States.
- Southern France and Ukraine experienced below-average solar generation due to persistent low-pressure systems.
- Severe autumn storms caused widespread infrastructure damage and power outages for hundreds of thousands of customers.
What happened
Solar photovoltaic generation conditions varied widely across Europe during October, according to analysis from Solcast. While much of the continent benefited from extended periods of high pressure and clear skies, regional weather systems created significant deficits in specific areas. Central Europe and the Baltic States recorded monthly irradiance figures reaching up to 25% above the seasonal norm. These sunny conditions were driven by a positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, which established durable high-pressure patterns over western and central regions.
Conversely, persistent low-pressure systems reduced sunlight in other parts of the continent. The southern half of France and parts of eastern Europe, including Ukraine and Moldova, saw irradiance levels fall up to 10% below average. In southern France, severe weather events such as Storm Adam and regional thunderstorm phenomena generated heavy rainfall and dense cloud cover, limiting surface solar radiation.
Storm disruptions
A series of powerful autumn storms also impacted energy infrastructure during the second half of the month. Storm Austin and Storm Boelo brought severe winds exceeding 130 km/h to parts of western Europe. pv magazine reported that the resulting damage to transmission and distribution networks left nearly 300,000 customers without power in France, while subsequent outages affected 800,000 people following Storm Boelo.
Why it matters
As nations across the globe expand their renewable energy capacities to meet transition goals, the vulnerability of power grids to extreme weather events remains a critical planning consideration for grid operators and investors. The events in Europe demonstrate how regional meteorological variations can simultaneously boost generation in certain corridors while damaging physical distribution assets nearby. For developing energy markets in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where solar installations are scaling rapidly, these operational challenges underline the importance of robust grid infrastructure, advanced meteorological forecasting, and pre-emptive storage management to buffer against sudden generation drops and infrastructure failures.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
22.8% of electricity in France was renewable in 2021Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
