In the week of May 11, 2026, the European electricity markets exhibited varied demand patterns influenced by climatic conditions and national holidays. The French market saw the most significant demand increase at 2.9%, followed by Italy at 0.9% and Great Britain at 0.5%. Conversely, Germany, Belgium, and the Iberian markets faced declines, with Germany experiencing a notable drop of 6.9%. Belgium recorded a decrease of 2.0%, while Portugal and Spain saw reductions of 1.6% and 1.1%, respectively.
The observed fluctuations in electricity demand coincided with a general decline in average temperatures across most major markets. Belgium and Germany reported the steepest temperature drops of 3.8°C and 3.7°C, respectively. In comparison, Italy experienced only a minor decrease of 0.7°C. Great Britain and France also noted cooler temperatures, with reductions of 2.4°C and 2.5°C. Notably, the Iberian Peninsula deviated from this trend, as Spain and Portugal recorded slight temperature increases of 0.1°C and 0.3°C.
The timing of Ascension Thursday on May 14 contributed to lower electricity demand in Germany and Belgium due to reduced industrial activity during the holiday. In contrast, colder weather conditions bolstered electricity consumption in France, Italy, and Great Britain. Meanwhile, the Iberian Peninsula’s milder temperatures led to diminished demand in Spain and Portugal.
<pLooking ahead to the week of May 18, forecasts from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting suggest that Germany, Italy, the Iberian Peninsula, and Belgium are likely to see increases in electricity demand. However, France and Great Britain are projected to experience declines in their respective markets.
