Natural gas-fuled power generation in Greece struck record levels in July, amid the heatwave, while the contribution to the grid by the country’s hydropower facilities remained subdued during this period as a result of depleted water levels prompted by the excessive reliance on hydropower units during last winter’s energy crisis.

Electricity demand this summer peaked on July 13, reaching 9.61 GW. Natural gas-fueled power stations provided 1.55 terawatt hours (TWh) during the month, up from 1.39 TWh during the equivalent period last year and 877 GWh in July, 2015, official data showed.

Electricity output at Greece’s lignite-fired power stations rebounded by 12 percent in July, compared to the same month a year earlier, reaching 1.6 TWh, and by 32 percent for the seven-month period, to 10.25 TWh.

The overall contribution to the grid of natural gas-fueled power was slightly less than that provided by Greece’s lignite-fired units. Gas-fueled generation rose by 12 percent in July compared to the equivalent month a year earlier, and 21 percent, year-on-year, for the seven-month period, to 9.2 TWh.

Greek hydropower output was in line with the overall trend registered throughout southern Europe. Local production fell by 25 percent in July and 41 percent for the seven-month period.

On the contrary, renewable energy output in Greece increased by 8 percent, year-on-year, in July, but remained steady in the first half compared to the equivalent period last year.