Serbia moved from a net electricity export position to net imports in the week to 20 September, with wind and solar generation falling sharply. The change occurred even as hydropower output increased. The country recorded 14.89 GWh of net imports versus 23.84 GWh of net exports a week earlier.
Variable renewable generation dropped 69.6%, the largest percentage fall among the markets covered. Hydropower output rose 74.14% to 42.98 GWh, but it did not prevent the shift in Serbia’s electricity trade balance.
Demand also eased during the same period, falling 4.12% to 552.38 GWh. Serbia’s average day-ahead price declined 2.72% to €151.46/MWh. That level made Serbia the second-cheapest market in the report after Türkiye.
The import switch therefore does not, on its own, indicate a shortage or a price spike. The weekly figures highlight how quickly Serbia’s trading position can change when renewable output varies.
Implications for supply coverage and market exposure
For producers and suppliers, the key commercial issue is whether hydro, thermal generation and imports can cover swings at competitive prices as additional wind and solar capacity enters the system. Serbia imported power during a relatively cheap week.
A similar generation swing during a regional price surge would create different exposure for market participants.