Continuous heat waves in southern and eastern Europe have seen surging electricity demand and power outages. The increased use of air conditioning units and cold water has put unprecedented pressure on electricity and water infrastructure, causing many systems to fail in recent weeks.
According to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, the Earth experienced its warmest day on record on July 22, with the daily global average temperature hitting a new high of 17.16 degrees Celsius.
"We are now in truly uncharted territory and as the climate keeps warming, we are bound to see new records being broken in future months and years," said Carlo Buontempo, the service's director.
In Italy, cities like Rome, Naples and Florence saw temperatures nearing record highs, while Sardinia and Sicily faced conditions up to 44 degrees Celsius. The country is increasing energy imports as hydropower production has fallen and air conditioning use surged, Italian media reported.
The Mediterranean island country of Malta has endured day-long blackouts in certain areas, with the underground distribution network failing under intense heat. In Gzira, the power was out for almost 40 hours until repairs were completed.
A signboard displays the temperature (40 degrees Celsius) during a sultry day in Rome, Italy, July 29, 2024. /CFP
"I'm disappointed because we knew that summer would bring about an increase in temperatures but we didn't plan well in advance. There has been very little investment in the distribution network in the last decade so it's obvious that they are going to give way under this pressure," Maltese resident Steve Vella said.
Romania also experienced electricity fluctuations. The authorities have recommended energy-saving measures, such as setting air conditioning units at 24-26 degrees Celsius and avoiding using laundry machines between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
In Montenegro, the electricity grid was significantly strained under a "red" weather alert. Businesspeople in Tivat recently protested power outages, citing harm to their operations and the overall economy.
A regional power failure on June 21 caused blackouts in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Montenegro. Enes Aliskovic, head of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Export Promotion Agency, said that Montenegro's surge in electricity demand during peak tourist season led to the collapse of its power system.
Croatia set a new electricity consumption record of 3,341 megawatt-hours on July 16, at 8 p.m. Given the intense tourist season and the increasing air conditioning of all tourist facilities and workspaces, as well as residential properties, the maximum hourly electricity consumption record is expected to be broken again this summer, according to the Croatian Transmission System Operator.
A crop of corn sits dried out in a field in western Romania on July 27, 2024. /CFP
Bogomil Ferfila, a Slovenian political scientist, attributed the power supply tension in the Western Balkans to factors such as chronic underfunding of energy infrastructure, continued mismanagement and geopolitical barriers. During the peak season, electricity consumption may increase abnormally, causing the power grid to overload, he said.
Meanwhile, water shortages are also striking some parts of Europe. Recently, hotels in Sicily, Italy, have turned visitors away due to water shortages. Parts of the island region suffered severely, with water reportedly available for only two or three hours a day. In some remote areas, residents have protested over not having access to running water for six weeks.
Similarly, villages in Bulgaria's Kardzhali region faced serious potable water shortages due to the heatwave and lack of rain. Water use restrictions were implemented in Pchelarovo, about 230 kilometers southeast of Bulgaria's capital Sofia, where residents had water for only four hours a day.
High temperatures in southern and eastern Europe are expected to continue, keeping power and water supplies under pressure.