Europe’s Energy Security Threatened by Cloudy and Windless Days

Europe’s energy security is being threatened by prolonged periods of low wind and solar output, something that’s also driving extreme market volatility, according to Wood Mackenzie Ltd.

Bouts of cloudy and windless days — conditions known as “Dunkelflaute” — are most common in Europe between November and January, typically fueled by high-pressure weather patterns that bring cloudy skies and low wind speeds. Curbed renewables generation during these periods has forced the region to turn to coal or costly gas-fired plants to meet its power needs.