Demand changes across major European power markets
In the fourth week of August, electricity demand moved higher in most of the major European markets analyzed versus the previous week. Italy recorded the largest rise, with demand up by 15%, while France posted the smallest increase at 2.2%. Demand also increased 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 electricity demand.
Spain and Portugal showed the opposite direction for the same period. Electricity demand fell by 5.5% in Spain and by 2.2% in Portugal compared with the prior week. Spain extended its downward trend to a sixth consecutive week of declines, while Portugal recorded its fourth straight weekly decrease.
Temperature movements alongside weekly demand shifts
Average temperatures rose across several markets during the same week compared with the previous one. Germany saw the largest increase at 1.4°C, followed by Great Britain at 1.2°C, and Italy at 1.0°C. France and Belgium recorded smaller gains of 0.4°C and 0.1°C, respectively.
Temperatures declined in Portugal and Spain over the same timeframe. Portugal recorded the biggest drop, with average temperatures falling by 2.2°C, followed closely by Spain where temperatures decreased by 2.1°C. The lower temperatures were associated with weaker electricity demand in Spain and Portugal, while warmer conditions supported higher consumption levels in markets where temperatures increased.
AleaSoft forecasts for the week starting August 31
For the week beginning August 31, forecasts from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting point to different demand directions across countries. Demand is expected to rise in both Portugal and Spain, according to AleaSoft reports . In contrast, AleaSoft forecasts declines for Italy, Belgium, France, Great Britain and Germany .
