In early April, European electricity markets experienced a notable decrease in demand, attributed primarily to rising temperatures and the impact of the Easter holiday calendar. During the first week of the month, Spain reported the most significant reduction in electricity consumption, with a decline of 8.7%. Following closely were Portugal and Great Britain, which saw decreases of 6.8% and 6.7%, respectively. Germany’s demand fell by 5.2%, while Italy and France experienced smaller declines of 2.7% and 1.0%. Belgium’s demand remained relatively stable, with only a 0.2% decrease.
The observed drop in electricity demand can be linked to an increase in average temperatures, which rose between 1.6 °C and 2.0 °C, thereby reducing the need for heating across many regions. Additionally, the timing of the Easter holidays further contributed to this decline as many consumers reduced their energy usage during this period.
Looking ahead to the second week of April, forecasts from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting indicate mixed trends for electricity demand across Europe. As temperatures are expected to continue rising in all analyzed markets, France, Italy, and Belgium are predicted to experience the largest increases. Consequently, demand is anticipated to decline in France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy. Conversely, Germany, Spain, and Portugal may witness a recovery in demand levels. The varying distribution of Easter holidays across different countries will also play a crucial role in shaping week-on-week comparisons for electricity consumption.
