In the second week of April 2023, electricity demand across major European markets experienced a notable decline compared to the previous week. France reported the steepest decrease at 16%, while Germany’s demand fell by a more modest 3.4%. Other countries such as Belgium, Italy, and Great Britain also recorded reductions of 6.9%, 8.2%, and 8.5%, respectively. This downward trend can be attributed to the effects of the Easter holiday, particularly Easter Monday on April 6, which typically leads to lower consumption levels.
Conversely, the Iberian Peninsula showed an upward trend in electricity demand during this period. Spain’s demand increased by 5.4%, while Portugal saw an even higher rise of 6.3%. This divergence highlights regional variations in energy consumption patterns, influenced by local factors such as holiday activities and weather conditions.
Accompanying these changes in demand were shifts in average temperatures across the analyzed markets. Italy experienced the most significant temperature rise at 3.1 °C, whereas Portugal recorded the smallest increase of 0.8 °C. The temperature changes across other markets ranged between 1.0 °C and 2.9 °C, suggesting that warmer weather could play a role in influencing energy consumption trends.
Looking forward, forecasts from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting indicate a potential recovery in electricity demand for all major European markets in the third week of April. This anticipated rebound may reflect a return to normal consumption patterns following the holiday period and adjustments to seasonal temperature fluctuations.
