Heatwave in Europe: Excess deaths and electricity price surge

From 3 to 22 July, France recorded 1,243 cases of excess mortality. Earlier, during the intense heatwave from 17 June to 2 July, this figure reached 5,764. Air conditioners are becoming critically important, especially for people over 45, but not everyone can afford them due to high electricity prices. Extreme heat has heavily strained power systems. In Germany, temperatures reached up to 41.7°C, in France up to 43.8°C. Electricity demand surged, while production simultaneously dropped. In Germany, prices this summer are more than 40% higher than a year ago. The average daily price from June to August remains at €105–114 per MWh, compared to €64 last year. The paradox of 'green' energy: Germany's share of renewable energy has risen to 71%, but this does not prevent price spikes. During heatwaves, wind generation drops, and France has to reduce nuclear power output due to heated river water.