EU Prepares Power Grid for Solar Eclipse

European electricity grid operators have taken a number of additional steps to ensure the smooth operation of power systems during the solar eclipse on Wednesday (12/8), according to the European Commission, as reported to RIA Novosti on Monday (10/8).

On Wednesday, a sharp drop in solar power generation is predicted between 19:15 and 21:30 Central European Time, or 00:15–02:30 Western Indonesian Time on Thursday (13/8).

Responding to questions about preparations ahead of the eclipse, the European Commission provided data from the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), which has established a task force to coordinate preparations and facilitate the exchange of information among national grid operators before, during and after the eclipse.

Local operators will also receive updated solar generation forecasts from meteorological services, ENTSO-E said. In addition, operators will refrain from scheduled outages on grid components during the eclipse to maintain maximum operational flexibility.

According to available data, solar power accounted for around 13 percent of total electricity generation in the European Union in 2025. ENTSO-E comprises 40 transmission system operators from 36 countries, which together manage one of the largest integrated power systems in the world.