In the fourth week of August, electricity demand increased across most of the major European electricity markets analyzed compared with the previous week. Italy recorded the largest increase, with demand rising by 15%, while France registered the smallest growth, at 2.2%. Demand also increased by 3.9% in Belgium, 3.2% in Germany and 2.3% in Great Britain. The growth recorded in Germany and Italy brought an end to three consecutive weeks of declining electricity demand.
In contrast, electricity demand declined in Spain and Portugal. Demand fell by 5.5% in Spain and by 2.2% in Portugal. Spain extended its downward trend to a sixth consecutive week of declines, while Portugal registered its fourth consecutive weekly decrease.
During the same week, average temperatures increased in Germany, Great Britain, Italy, France and Belgium compared with the previous week. Germany recorded the largest rise, at 1.4°C, followed by Great Britain, where temperatures increased by 1.2°C, and Italy, with an increase of 1.0°C. France and Belgium registered more moderate increases of 0.4°C and 0.1°C, respectively.
Meanwhile, average temperatures declined significantly in Portugal and Spain. Portugal recorded the largest decrease, with temperatures falling by 2.2°C, followed closely by Spain, where the average temperature dropped by 2.1°C.
The lower temperatures contributed to weaker electricity demand in Spain and Portugal. Conversely, in the markets where temperatures increased, warmer weather helped support growth in electricity consumption.
Looking ahead to the week beginning August 31, forecasts from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting indicate that electricity demand is expected to increase in the Portuguese and Spanish markets. In contrast, demand is forecast to decline in Italy, Belgium, France, Great Britain and Germany, AleaSoft reports.