During the week of May 12, electricity demand declined in most major European markets compared to the previous week. Great Britain recorded the largest decrease, with demand falling by 3.7 percent. Germany and Italy followed, with decreases of 1.3 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively. Spain saw the smallest drop, at 0.8 percent. In contrast, Portugal, France, and Belgium experienced increases in electricity demand for the second week in a row. Portugal led the growth with a 2.2 percent rise, followed by France with 1.1 percent and Belgium with 0.5 percent.
Average temperatures increased across all analyzed markets during the week. Great Britain and Belgium recorded the highest temperature increases, at 2.7 and 2.6 degrees Celsius, respectively. Italy had the smallest increase, at just 0.2 degrees. In Spain, Portugal, Germany, and France, temperature rises ranged from 1.6 to 1.8 degrees Celsius.
The overall rise in temperatures contributed to the decline in electricity demand, as milder weather typically reduces heating needs. In Spain, the public holiday on May 15, San Isidro Day, celebrated in Madrid, also contributed to lower demand. In contrast, electricity demand increased in France as work activity resumed following the May 8 public holiday, Victory in Europe Day.
Looking ahead to the week of May 19, AleaSoft Energy Forecasting predicts that electricity demand will rise in Spain, Italy, and Great Britain. Demand in Portugal is expected to remain stable, while decreases are forecasted in Germany, France, and Belgium, AleaSoft reports.
