---
title: "Europe's Rare Dilemma: Dirt-Cheap Energy"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/43c5a575-d254-4e11-bfba-284fac8911b9
source: "Franchise Magazine USA"
original_url: https://franchisemagazineusa.com/europes-rare-dilemma-dirt-cheap-energy/
category: "Regulation"
topics: ["Regulation & legal"]
published: 2024-06-21T03:20:45.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T01:02:39.988Z
image: https://franchisemagazineusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240622_FNP003.jpg
---

# Europe's Rare Dilemma: Dirt-Cheap Energy

**TL;DR:** Europe is facing a dilemma of having dirt-cheap energy due to an excess of power generated from renewable sources, particularly solar power in Spain. Policymakers and industry leaders need to find efficient ways to utilize this surplus energy by improving distribution, consumption, and storage.

*originally published in Franchise Magazine USA on 2024-06-21. [Read the original](https://franchisemagazineusa.com/europes-rare-dilemma-dirt-cheap-energy/).*

## Story

The rapid growth of solar power in Spain has led to a significant decrease in energy prices, particularly during the sunniest hours of the day. Wholesale prices near zero between 11am and 7pm reflect the abundance of solar energy being generated in the country. Even in countries like Germany, where solar power is less prevalent, wholesale prices occasionally dip into negative territory due to the high levels of wind energy being produced.

However, the increase in renewable energy production presents a challenge for policymakers in Europe. With an excess of power being generated, there is a need to find efficient ways to utilize this surplus energy. The current situation, where prices are ultra-low or negative, indicates that there are shortcomings in both infrastructure and regulation within the energy market.

To address these challenges, firms and regulators can implement three key strategies to establish a more efficient energy market. Firstly, they can focus on sending excess energy to regions that are lacking in supply. By improving the transmission of energy to areas of high demand, the surplus can be effectively utilized.

Secondly, there is a need to shift energy consumption to hours when renewable energy sources are abundant. By encouraging consumers to use energy during peak production times, the excess energy can be put to good use. Lastly, storing energy in various forms such as electricity, fuel, or heat can help to balance the fluctuations in renewable energy production and demand.

Overall, the growth of solar power in Spain and other European countries has led to lower energy prices and increased challenges in managing surplus energy. By implementing strategies to improve the distribution, consumption, and storage of renewable energy, policymakers and industry leaders can work towards creating a more efficient and sustainable energy market in Europe.

## Entities

- Franchise Magazine USA (publication)
- Regulation (sector)
- regulation (topic)
- Spain (location)
- Germany (location)
- Europe (location)
- renewable energy (topic)
- energy storage (topic)
- energy market (topic)
- solar power (topic)

---
Originally reported by Franchise Magazine USA (https://franchisemagazineusa.com/europes-rare-dilemma-dirt-cheap-energy/). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/43c5a575-d254-4e11-bfba-284fac8911b9).