Drought in Austria: Hydropower production significantly below average

At the country's largest power plant operator, the partly state-owned Verbund, the balance sheet is even worse. Hydropower generation is "sogar noch unter dem schlechten Vergleichswert aus dem Vorjahr" due to the lack of precipitation, as a spokeswoman told APA. Overall, generation is around 30 percent below the long-term average, according to Verbund.

Verbund more affected than the industry average

Above all in southern and southeastern Styria as well as in the Waldviertel, rain is lacking. Several plants have already had to be shut down because water levels were no longer sufficient for economic operation. The situation is also tense in the Innviertel.

The lack of precipitation has a direct impact on electricity production. Hydropower is traditionally one of the most important renewable energy sources in Austria and covers a significant share of electricity demand in normal years. When generation declines, the missing capacity has to be compensated elsewhere.

Consequences for supply and generation

Yields from hydropower are already 25 to 30 percent below those of recent years. Experts expect that this shortfall will likely only be partially offset by the end of the year if there is no heavy rainfall in the coming weeks.

Industry representatives emphasize that the current figures do not yet represent the final annual result. In the late summer months, the situation could develop differently regionally, but the decline compared to the previous year is already clearly noticeable.

The developments raise questions about supply security. When less electricity from hydropower is available, the importance of other forms of generation increases in the short term. At the same time, operators' revenues decline, which can make investments in modernization and maintenance more difficult.

Outlook: Weather crucial for the annual balance

For the coming weeks, power plant operators are looking at the weather forecasts. Should the drought persist, a further deterioration in production figures can be expected. According to Ablinger, no short-term relief is in sight.

The current situation illustrates the dependence of domestic electricity generation on weather conditions. While in wet years hydropower reliably delivers high yields, dry phases reveal the limits of the system – with consequences for the energy balance, electricity prices and climate policy.