Full Breakdown
Droughts Drive Europe Back to Fossil Fuels
4/18/2026, 11:31:28 AM
Impact of Droughts on Energy Systems
Recent research highlights how droughts are undermining Europe’s clean energy goals by forcing countries to revert to fossil fuels. A study conducted by Francesco Cherubini and Xianping Hu from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) examined 25 European countries from 2017 to 2023, revealing that low river levels significantly weaken hydropower generation. As hydropower declines, countries often turn to fossil fuel plants or electricity imports to fill the energy gap, resulting in a substantial increase in fossil fuel generation by 180 terawatt-hours over the study period.
Environmental Consequences
The environmental ramifications of this reliance on fossil fuels are significant. During droughts, fossil fuel plants emitted an additional 141 million tons of CO2 equivalents, surpassing the annual emissions of the Netherlands from fossil fuels. The study also identified the release of harmful pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and PM2.5, which pose serious health risks. Notably, PM2.5, although constituting only 4% of emissions, accounted for 20% of total health damage, underscoring the disproportionate impact of certain pollutants.
Regional Disparities in Pollution
The study found that the effects of increased fossil fuel use during droughts are not uniformly distributed across Europe. Countries such as Bulgaria, Spain, and Italy experienced the highest pollution levels due to their energy mix, which heavily relied on coal and lignite. In contrast, France managed to reduce its coal usage during droughts, resulting in lower pollution levels.
Economic Implications
The financial burden of increased fossil fuel use during droughts is estimated at $26 billion, encompassing health and environmental damages as well as stress on the energy system. This instability translates to higher electricity bills for consumers, making the impact of climate change more tangible. Cherubini emphasized that these changes are not abstract; they directly affect people's finances through rising energy costs.
Pathways to Resilience
Despite the challenges, researchers propose solutions to enhance the resilience of energy systems. Cherubini noted that while Europe currently relies on fossil fuels to address renewable energy shortages, there are viable strategies to reduce this dependency. Strengthening interconnections between countries can facilitate electricity transfer from surplus to deficit regions, thereby reducing air pollution and stabilizing energy supplies. Additionally, promoting demand flexibility, such as shifting electric vehicle charging to off-peak times, and investing in technologies like better battery storage and clean hydrogen systems are crucial steps toward a more sustainable energy future.
Conclusion
The findings underscore the urgent need for Europe to develop a more resilient energy system capable of withstanding extreme weather events without reverting to fossil fuels. Cherubini concluded, “We need to be prepared when something extreme happens. We have to build our systems to be more resilient.” As Europe navigates these challenges, the transition to renewable energy remains critical for both environmental sustainability and energy security.
