Well, only one of those countries in the title can cheer right now about their World Cup ambitions, as France was just knocked out by the super smooth unit that is Spain, Germany got knocked out very early … by Paraguay, and Italy somehow didn’t even qualify for the largest World Cup in history! However, all four of them can cheer achieving new solar power records recently. “Solar photovoltaic energy production increased year‑on‑year in all major European electricity markets. Spain and France registered the largest increases, both at 16%. In addition, Germany, Spain, Italy and France reached all‑time records for half‑year solar photovoltaic energy production,” a new analysis from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting shared. Wind power also reached some new heights. “Wind energy production also increased in all the markets analysed compared with the first half of 2025. Italy registered the largest increase, 17%, followed by France and Germany. France, Italy and Portugal reached all‑time records for half‑year wind energy production.” (Looks like Spain is lagging a bit on the wind energy front.) Despite all of this, electricity prices rose across Europe. That’s because of higher gas prices and higher electricity demand. In Spain and Portugal, though, on the back of big increases in solar and wind power, prices did actually drop. In short: anyone wanting to complain about rising electricity prices should put the blame on fossil gas and look to increase solar and wind power in their region. Source: Prepared by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting using data from OMIE, RTE, Nord Pool, and GME. “Brent oil and TTF gas reached their highest average prices since 2023, due to tensions between the United States and Iran and low gas storage levels,” AleaSoft Energy Forecasting added. “In the first half of 2026, the average half‑year price exceeded €60/MWh in most major European electricity markets. Italy registered the highest price, at €127.18/MWh, followed by the United Kingdom, at €107.27/MWh. By contrast, Portugal and Spain registered the lowest prices, €48.77/MWh and €49.83/MWh, respectively. “Compared with the second half of 2025, prices increased in most of the markets analysed. The Nordic market registered the largest rise, at 82%, followed by the British market, at 27%. By contrast, Spain and Portugal registered decreases of 28% and 29%, respectively.” Source: Prepared by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting using data from OMIE, RTE, Nord Pool, and GME. You can request a full report on these topics here.