Electricity demand declined across most major European markets during the third week of July compared with the previous week, with Italy recording the sharpest fall while Germany posted the largest increase, according to AleaSoft Energy Forecasting.
Italy recorded a 10% decline in weekly electricity demand, the largest decrease among the markets analysed. France followed with a 3.8% drop, while demand in Great Britain fell by 3.7%. Belgium registered a 3.4% decrease and Portugal a more moderate 2.4% decline.
Germany and Spain were the main exceptions to the broader downward trend. Electricity demand increased by 2.4% in Germany and 1.0% in Spain.
The changes in demand coincided with a mixed temperature pattern across Europe. Average temperatures declined in most of the markets analysed, with Great Britain recording the largest weekly decrease of 2.7°C.
Temperatures fell by 1.2°C in France and 0.9°C in Portugal, while Spain and Belgium recorded more moderate declines of 0.4°C.
Italy and Germany again moved in the opposite direction. Average temperatures increased by 1.5°C in Italy and 0.7°C in Germany, contributing to the divergent demand trends observed in the two markets.
For the fourth week of July, AleaSoft Energy Forecasting expects electricity demand to increase in Italy and Portugal.
Demand is forecast to decline in Germany, Spain, France, Belgium and Great Britain. The contrasting outlook highlights the continued influence of temperature trends, seasonal conditions and cooling demand on European electricity consumption during the summer period, AleaSoft Energy Forecasting said.