Heatwave Drives Belgian Power Prices to Record €1,038/MWh
Belgium has activated the alarm phase of its national ozone and heat plan for only the second time in history as a severe heatwave sweeps across the country, sending evening electricity prices to unprecedented levels. The wholesale price of electricity spiked to €658.09 per megawatt-hour (MWh) on the evening of June 23, with forecasts predicting a staggering €1,038.25/MWh on June 24 — the highest price ever recorded on the Belgian market, according to VRT NWS.
Heatwave Alarm Without National Measures
The Risk Management Group of the Federal Public Service for Public Health activated the alarm phase on Tuesday, June 23, citing extreme daytime temperatures and tropical nights with minimal cooling. Despite the severity, the National Crisis Center (NCCN) decided against imposing nationwide measures, instead calling for local action and public awareness.
“It indicates that we are in a very exceptional situation, not only during the day but also at night with very high temperatures, and we also have high ozone concentrations,” explained Yves Stevens, spokesperson for the NCCN, as reported by VRT NWS.
From June 24, code orange (high alert) for heat is in effect for the entire country, including the coastal region. Temperatures are forecast to reach 35–39°C in Flanders, with the warmest night ever recorded in Belgium possible — temperatures may not drop below 25°C.
The ‘Hitzeflaute’ Driving Record Prices
The electricity price surge is being driven by a phenomenon known as a “hitzeflaute” (heat lull) or “kühlkraftkrise” (cooling power crisis). On extremely hot days, air conditioning and heat pumps run at maximum capacity during the evening, just as solar panel output drops sharply with the setting sun. Low wind speeds during heatwaves further reduce wind power generation, forcing gas-fired power plants to ramp up — and they charge premium prices.
On June 23, the evening peak around 20:45 reached €658.09/MWh, eight times higher than midday prices of around €80/MWh. The forecast for June 24 is even more extreme: €1,038.25/MWh, surpassing even the peaks of the 2022 energy crisis.
Limited Consumer Impact — For Now
Despite the eye-watering wholesale prices, most Belgian households are shielded from the immediate impact. Only 1.3% of Flemish households hold dynamic energy contracts that fluctuate hourly or quarterly based on wholesale market prices. These consumers face direct exposure but can also choose to reduce consumption during peak hours.
“People should not be afraid to use their air conditioning,” a spokesperson for the Federal Energy Regulator (CREG) told VRT NWS. “For those with a fixed contract, the price remains unchanged for the entire duration of the contract. Such contracts are typically about 20% more expensive than variable contracts precisely because they offer protection against energy market fluctuations.”
Variable contract holders are partially protected, as prices are calculated based on monthly averages of wholesale prices. “Temporary price spikes are therefore strongly smoothed out in the final bill,” the CREG noted.
French Nuclear Shutdown Adds Pressure
Compounding the crisis, the Golfech nuclear power plant in southern France was shut down on June 22 after the Garonne River reached 28°C, exceeding the 2006 decree limit for cooling water discharge. France normally supplies cheap, stable electricity to Belgium, but interconnection lines are already at capacity.
“We are importing so much electricity that the lines between France and Belgium are completely full,” said Matthias Detremmerie of energy supplier Elindus. “Belgium also has very little domestic production capacity when there is no sun or wind.”
Detremmerie warned that further nuclear shutdowns are likely this summer. “Gas-fired power plants will have to step in, which will drive up both gas and electricity prices.”
A Broader Climate Trend
The Royal Meteorological Institute (KMI) noted that a heatwave of this magnitude occurring in June fits a broader pattern of more frequent and intense heat peaks in Belgium. WHO Europe Director Hans Kluge warned that heatwaves are a health emergency, reporting 200,000 heat-related deaths across 54 countries in the last four years, with mortality rising 30% over 20 years.
What to Watch
Temperatures are expected to peak on June 25–26, with up to 39°C forecast in eastern Belgium, before returning to approximately 25°C next week. The combination of extreme daytime heat and tropical nights poses serious health risks, particularly for elderly and vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, energy markets will be watching closely for further nuclear plant shutdowns in France and the potential for additional “hitzeflaute” events as summer progresses.