In the week of May 11, electricity consumption surged across most major European power markets, reflecting a rebound from the previous week’s lower activity levels. Germany and Italy led the charge with significant demand increases of 7.3% and 6.6%, respectively. Conversely, Belgium experienced the smallest rise at just 1.0%, while other countries such as France, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Spain recorded more moderate increases ranging from 2.5% in France to 3.5% in Spain.
This uptick in demand coincided with a general decline in average temperatures throughout Europe, which typically drives higher electricity usage. France noted the most substantial temperature drop of 2.0°C, while Great Britain and Belgium saw decreases of 1.7°C each. The Iberian Peninsula also reported cooler conditions, with Spain’s temperatures falling by 1.8°C and Portugal by 1.9°C. Notably, Germany and Italy bucked this trend with slight temperature increases of 0.4°C and 0.9°C, respectively.
The increase in electricity demand can be attributed to a return to regular business activities following the May 1 public holiday for International Workers’ Day, which had previously dampened consumption levels. The combination of cooler weather across many regions further contributed to heightened energy usage during this period.
Looking ahead, forecasts from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting predict that demand will continue to rise in France, Spain, and Italy during the week of May 11. In contrast, declines are anticipated in Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Portugal. Additionally, upcoming national holidays such as Ascension Thursday on May 14—which is recognized in Germany, Belgium, and France—are expected to temporarily suppress consumption levels in several markets.
