Extreme Heat Drives Power Prices Up in France and Germany

Intraday power prices in France and Germany spiked on August 11, 2026, as a high-pressure dome pushed temperatures toward 40C. The heatwave drove a surge in air-conditioning use while simultaneously restricting energy supply, causing prices to peak between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. local time. Prices reached approximately €229 per megawatt-hour in France and €228 in Germany, marking increases of 20% and 15% over day-ahead levels.

European Power Exchange data indicates the price surge coincided with a drop in solar generation. In France, the nuclear fleet's operating capacity declined to 60% on Tuesday from 65% on Monday. High river temperatures limited the cooling capacity of reactors, which forced some units offline and required others to reduce their output.

Meteorological forecasts suggest the high-pressure dome will maintain these extreme temperatures across the region until Sunday, potentially prolonging the strain on the power grid.