The electricity markets across Europe are currently witnessing notable fluctuations in demand, driven largely by weather conditions and public holidays. In the week of May 11, 2026, significant increases were observed in the French, Italian, and British markets, marking a continuation of a two-week upward trend. France reported the most substantial demand increase at 2.9%, followed by Italy with 0.9% and Great Britain at 0.5%. Conversely, the German, Belgian, and Iberian markets saw declines that reversed their previous gains, with Germany experiencing the sharpest drop at 6.9%. Belgium, Portugal, and Spain recorded decreases of 2.0%, 1.6%, and 1.1%, respectively.
The average temperatures across these markets played a crucial role in shaping electricity demand during this period. Belgium and Germany noted the largest temperature declines of 3.8°C and 3.7°C, respectively. In comparison, Italy experienced the smallest drop at 0.7°C. Great Britain and France also faced cooler conditions with temperature reductions of 2.4°C and 2.5°C. Notably, the Iberian Peninsula diverged from this trend as Spain and Portugal recorded slight temperature increases of 0.1°C and 0.3°C.
The impact of public holidays cannot be overlooked; May 14 marked Ascension Thursday, which contributed to lower electricity demand in Germany and Belgium due to reduced industrial activity and residential consumption patterns typical of national holidays. Meanwhile, cooler weather boosted electricity usage in France, Italy, and Great Britain as households turned to heating solutions amid declining temperatures. Conversely, warmer conditions in the Iberian Peninsula led to diminished demand for electricity in Spain and Portugal.
<pLooking ahead to the week of May 18, forecasts from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting indicate anticipated increases in electricity demand for Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the Iberian Peninsula. However, contrastingly, both France and Great Britain are projected to experience declines in their respective electricity demand figures during this period.
