European hydro stocks down 2.1% in Week 3

London — Hydro power reservoir levels in Europe fell by 2.1% in Week 3, but maintained a healthy surplus over historic levels as a mild winter continued to suppress electricity demand, data compiled by transmission system operator body Entso-e showed Tuesday.

Total hydro stock levels in 10 European countries totaled 102.5 TWh in the week ending January 17, compared with 104.7 TWh in Week 2, the figures showed.

The figures include data from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, France, Austria, Spain, Italy, Romania and Bulgaria.

However, total hydro stock levels were up 18.3% in Week 3 compared with the same week a year ago when stocks were at 86.7 TWh, the figures showed.

Norwegian hydro stock levels stood at 54.4 TWh as of Week 3, compared with 47.5 TWh in 2019. Swedish levels were at 20.1 TWh, compared with 16.2 TWh a year ago.

Spanish hydro stocks were at 9.9 TWh, compared with 7.9 TWh a year ago.

Stocks in the Nordic region, which accounts for the majority of European reservoir capacity, have edged down at a much slower pace so far in 2020 compared with recent years, driven by relatively mild, wet and windy conditions this winter to date.