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Abstract

Unprecedented heatwaves accompanying severe droughts hit Europe in recent years, leading to severe social consequences. Based on statistical analysis, this study revealed that these extreme climate events may increase European energy crisis through pushing up electricity demand and limiting renewable energy supply that makes up more than one-third of gross electricity consumption in the European Union. The long-lasting extreme heatwaves in spring are responsible for the record-high electricity demand over Europe. On the other hand, the anomalous large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns have directly contributed to these severe heatwaves and the shortage of renewable energy, for instance, through affecting the precipitation and the wind speed. The anomalous pressure systems over Europe associated with the Scandinavia pattern, contribute to higher temperature and lower precipitation over the continent and thereby lower-than-normal hydropower generation. The high pressure over West and South Europe related to the positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation weakens the low-tropospheric prevailing northwesterly wind over South Europe, resulting in lower-than-normal onshore wind power generation. The potential influence of atmospheric teleconnections on the low-level hydro and wind power generation, which has been well demonstrated by this study, may have implications for the renewable energy system.