During the week of August 18, electricity demand declined in most major European markets compared to the previous week. Portugal experienced the largest drop at 6.9%, continuing a downward trend for the third consecutive week. Spain saw the second-largest decrease at 5.7%, following two weeks of rising demand. In contrast, the UK recorded the smallest decline at 0.3%, while Germany and France saw decreases of 1.6% and 3.0%, respectively.
Italy and Belgium were exceptions. Electricity demand in Italy rose by 1.1% after four weeks of declines, while Belgium’s demand increased by 1.3%, extending an upward trend for the fourth consecutive week.
Average temperatures fell across all analyzed markets, with decreases ranging from 3.0 °C in Italy to 5.3 °C in France. Despite the post-holiday recovery following the Assumption of the Virgin on August 15, which is observed in Spain, Belgium, France, Italy, and Portugal, demand fell in most markets due to the end of the second heat wave and cooler weather.
For the last week of August, AleaSoft Energy Forecasting projects electricity demand will rise in Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Italy, while Belgium, France, and the UK are expected to see declines, AleaSoft reports.