OSCE launches Energy Security and Risks Platform to tackle climate challenges

by@OSCE

Summary

In the summer of 2026, Europe experienced a severe heatwave that strained energy systems to their limits, revealing vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure amid rising temperatures and drought conditions. Notably, Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant had to reduce operations due to low water levels in the Danube, which are essential for cooling, while hydropower output significantly decreased across the Alps, including a drop to just 20% capacity at Serbia's Djerdap 1 plant. These disruptions illustrate how extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts can ripple through interconnected energy systems, affecting electricity supply and exacerbating economic and social challenges, particularly for vulnerable populations. In response, the OSCE has launched the Energy Security and Risks Platform, designed to provide long-term climate data and maps to help countries anticipate and mitigate future energy risks.

Analysis

OSCE: The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) addresses security challenges across economic and environmental dimensions through its Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities. In response to the extreme weather events of 2026, the OSCE developed and launched the Energy Security and Risks Platform as a forward-looking tool for member states. Energy Security and Risks Platform: The Energy Security and Risks Platform is an interactive geospatial tool created by the OSCE that analyzes climate trends and their effects on energy systems. It supports energy decision-makers by projecting risks to infrastructure such as power plants and grids through the 2050s, enabling better planning for reliability and security amid climate change. Climate Risks: Extreme heat, drought, and cold snaps are increasingly disrupting energy production and distribution across regions. Cross-Border Impacts: Energy disruptions from weather events can quickly affect multiple countries through shared grids and supply chains. Infrastructure Planning: Decision-makers require long-term climate data to identify vulnerabilities in hydropower, solar, thermal, and transmission systems.

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