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Europe’s effective solar PV capacity is set to drop by 9.7GW during this evening’s solar eclipse, as the moon blocks the sun for roughly two hours, according to the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E). The organization expects Spain and Germany to face the most significant impact, driven by their large operational solar portfolios and the predicted path of the moon’s shadow.
In Spain, total eclipses are forecast for Leon, Zaragoza, and Valencia at 8:28pm, 8:29pm, and 8:32pm local time, respectively. The UK is expected to see 90% of the sun obscured, as reported by the BBC. Spain’s grid operator, Red Electrica, anticipates a 5GW reduction in generation, which represents about 13% of peak demand for a typical Wednesday evening in August. While the eclipse is not expected to compromise demand coverage, Red Electrica has announced preventative measures, including coordination with other European transmission system operators (TSOs).
ENTSO-E emphasized that well-established coordination mechanisms and proactive preparations ensure the secure and stable operation of the electricity system throughout the event, highlighting cross-border collaboration as essential for managing solar supply disruptions. Other grid operators have also announced plans to work with domestic parties to maintain consistent power supply.
Dutch TSO TenneT expects a 1.3GW impact on the Dutch grid and plans to work with generator TTEP to provide balancing services. TTEP operates 13GW of generation capacity across Europe, including solar, wind, and biomass facilities. TenneT indicated that intervention may not be necessary if TTEP can fill gaps in the Dutch energy system during the eclipse.
In the UK, energy supplier Octopus has asked customers to reduce electricity use during the eclipse in exchange for an hour of free power, up to 16kWh, to be delivered on Sunday, 16 August. Swedish renewable energy company Vattenfall estimates the UK could lose between 700MW and 1.3GW of solar capacity. The UK’s National Energy System Operator (NESO) issued a notice today indicating a system shortfall of 1.2GW during the two-hour eclipse period. However, Jess Ralston, head of energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said the notice is a standard precautionary tool used to request more power availability due to tighter margins, providing an extra buffer. She noted that the eclipse will cause solar power to go offline earlier than usual, coinciding with peak demand, and having additional power sources on standby is part of running a robust grid.
Solar Energy UK, the country’s solar trade body, also downplayed concerns, estimating the UK would lose up to 800MW of capacity, lower than both Vattenfall and NESO predictions. CEO Chris Hewett said no undue effects on the grid are expected, as the eclipse occurs when relatively little solar generation normally takes place, and battery energy storage will play an important role in managing the grid, as it does daily.
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