During the fourth week of August, electricity demand increased across most of the major European markets analyzed compared with the previous week. Italy recorded the strongest growth, with demand rising by 15%, while France posted the smallest increase, at 2.2%. Demand also climbed by 3.9% in Belgium, 3.2% in Germany and 2.3% in Great Britain. The increases in Germany and Italy ended three consecutive weeks of declining demand in both markets.
In contrast, electricity demand fell in Spain and Portugal. Spanish demand decreased by 5.5%, while Portugal recorded a 2.2% decline. Spain extended its downward trend to a sixth consecutive week, while Portugal recorded its fourth straight weekly decrease.
Weather conditions also varied significantly across Europe. During the week, average temperatures increased in Germany, Great Britain, Italy, France and Belgium compared with the previous week. Germany registered the largest rise, at 1.4°C, followed by Great Britain at 1.2°C and Italy at 1.0°C. More modest increases were recorded in France and Belgium, at 0.4°C and 0.1°C, respectively.
Meanwhile, temperatures declined in the Iberian Peninsula, with Portugal recording a 2.2°C decrease and Spain a 2.1°C drop. These declines represented the largest temperature changes among the markets analyzed during the week.
The contrasting weather patterns helped explain the divergent electricity demand trends across Europe. Lower temperatures contributed to the decline in demand in Spain and Portugal, while warmer conditions in Germany, Great Britain, Italy, France and Belgium supported higher electricity consumption.
Looking ahead to the week beginning August 31, forecasts from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting point to an increase in electricity demand in the Portuguese and Spanish markets. In contrast, demand is expected to decline in Italy, Belgium, France, Great Britain and Germany, according to the latest AleaSoft forecasts.
