Hot July to Cut Power Supply in Europe as Temperatures Increase

The European hot spell that’s set to push temperatures in France to their highest in nine years may last throughout the month, potentially cutting power supply.

High pressure is forecast to bring warm air into western Europe in July, with the hottest weather in France and Germany this week, according to MetraWeather. The heat will force Electricite de France SA to limit output at some of its power plants from Thursday, according to French grid operator Reseau de Transport d’Electricite SA.

Warm weather is boosting electricity use for air conditioners and fans, while potentially limiting generation as nuclear, coal, gas and solar plants become less efficient. France is set for its most intense heatwave since 2006, according to Meteo-France. High temperatures in 2003 resulted in more than 14,000 deaths in France and caused billions of euros of losses for Europe’s agriculture and forest industries.

“The heat during this week is likely to boost cooling demand and maybe it will cause problems with cooling water in France,” Andreas Gassner, a meteorologist at MeteoGroup in Appenzell, Switzerland, said by e-mail Tuesday. “Expected above-normal temperatures over most of July will increase use of air conditioning further.”

French power for July delivery climbed to a record 37.90 euros ($42.15) a megawatt-hour on Tuesday, the highest month-ahead price since March, according to broker data compiled by Bloomberg. German month-ahead power increased to 33.15 euros, the most since February 27, the data show.