During the upcoming total solar eclipse, solar electricity production in Europe may decrease by up to 9.7 gigawatts, equivalent to the output of two or three nuclear power plants.
The European Commission has warned in advance that the eclipse could have additional impacts on the functioning of the European energy system and has already organized technical consultations for electricity grid operators to assess potential consequences.
According to ENTSO-E, under clear weather conditions, the output from photovoltaic plants in Europe could drop by up to 9.7 GW, leading to a rapid but predictable change in the structure of electricity production.
European grid operators have prepared for the situation in advance. Dispatchers have received appropriate instructions, energy market participants have been warned about the expected drop in production, and national operators will receive updated weather forecasts during the eclipse.
Additionally, planned outages of the electricity grids will be avoided during the eclipse to ensure maximum flexibility of the system. ENTSO-E has also established a special working group to coordinate preparatory work and continuously monitor the situation.
According to ENTSO-E, solar energy accounted for about 13% of all electricity produced in the European Union in 2025.
