West Balkans’ energy bills surge as drought curbs hydropower output, Maja Zuvela, 30 August 2017
West Balkans' energy bills surge as drought curbs hydropower output, Maja Zuvela/Reuters, 30 August 2017 SARAJEVO, Aug 30 (Reuters) - A protracted drought and soaring temperatures have lowered water levels across the Western Balkans, hitting hydropower output and driving spot power prices sharply higher. Hydropower production in the region since the start of July is nearly half levels seen a year ago as temperatures have hit around 40 degrees Celsius and rainfall has been scarce. That has pushed benchmark spot power prices up 30 percent since the start of the year and forced the region’s cash-strapped countries to import more energy to meet demand. Hydropower accounts for most of Albania’s power output and about half of Bosnia’s, while Croatia and Slovenia rely on it for 40 percent of their energy…