Europe power markets see mixed solar and wind momentum in May 2026

Europe’s renewable generation showed a clear split between solar momentum and wind volatility in May 2026, with weekly changes varying widely by country. For traders and investors, the pattern matters because it affects short-term supply expectations, balancing needs, and the near-term outlook for power prices as seasonal conditions evolve.

Solar: broad weekly gains, Portugal stands out

In the week of May 11, solar photovoltaic energy production increased in most European electricity markets compared with the previous week. Italy recorded the largest rise, up 19% after two consecutive weeks of declines. Germany posted the smallest growth at 0.5%, while Spain and France extended their upward trend for a second straight week, increasing by 6.1% and 8.5%, respectively.

Portugal was the only exception: photovoltaic generation fell by 3.0% over the same period.

Looking ahead to the week of May 18, AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s solar outlook pointed to higher generation in Italy, Germany, and Spain. The forecast implies relatively strong photovoltaic output across key markets, supported by seasonal conditions and improving solar resource availability.

Wind: sharp rebound followed by signs of reversal

During the second week of May (compared with the prior week), wind energy production also increased across most European electricity markets. Germany saw the biggest jump, with wind generation rising 120%, reversing a downward trend from the previous two weeks. Spain recorded the smallest increase at 21%, extending its growth streak to a third consecutive week.

France and Italy also rebounded strongly, with wind output increasing by 50% and 100%, respectively, after earlier periods of decline. Portugal again diverged from peers, with wind output decreasing by 7.1%.

A standout moment came on Tuesday, May 12, when Germany reached its highest daily wind energy production for May in the past four years—623 GWh—highlighting both the scale and variability of wind supply in Europe’s largest power market.

Third-week forecast: lower wind expected across analyzed markets

For the third week of May, AleaSoft’s wind forecasts indicated lower production across all analyzed European markets. That points to a potential short-term reversal after the strong gains seen during the prior week.

Together, the data underline how quickly renewable output can shift from one week to the next across Europe—driven by country-specific weather patterns—and why updated forecasting remains central to managing exposure in power trading and portfolio planning.