THE NETHERLANDS: The Netherlands faces power blackouts today as demand for air-conditioned refuge from sweltering temperatures threatens to outstrip the power supply, the electricity grid operator said yesterday.
The Dutch transmission system operator TenneT BV warned of power failures, particularly during peak demand between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. today, as businesses such as builders return from holidays, while a drought has cut producers' ability to meet demand.
Prices for electricity contracts on Amsterdam's Power Exchange soared to around €1,600 for peak midday hours today, compared with prices usually below €50.
"These prices are very high. I do believe I have seen these levels before, in a peak hour a few years ago, but never for several hours in a row," said Mr Sander de Blok of APX Exchange, an energy exchange operator.
Soaring temperatures, which hit a record 40.8 degrees in neighbouring Germany on Friday, have caused a surge in electricity demand as people turned up the air conditioning and farmers sought to cool fresh produce, but at the same time a drought is forcing output restrictions on power stations.
France has called a meeting of ministers and representatives from state-owned Electricité de France (EDF) for today to discuss limits on nuclear power output, according to the Journal de Dimanche Sunday paper.
"The situation is serious. The heating up of the water in rivers is effectively forcing nuclear centres to reduce their power so as not to spew out hot water which would raise the temperature even further," French Industry Minister Ms Nicole Fontaine said.
Europe's drought also threatens to cut a crucial transport artery, the Rhine river, and Dutch authorities took steps yesterday to retain river water and prevent the increase of salt sea water in the ground water mixture that could devastate fish and plants.
Meanwhile, Pope John Paul yesterday asked God to shower down rain on the scorched European continent.
The 83-year-old Pope was speaking to hundreds of pilgrims and tourists who braved the heat and humidity and packed the courtyard of his summer residence south of Rome for one of his twice-weekly summer appearances.