In the week commencing January 12, electricity demand across major European markets exhibited varied trends following the Epiphany holiday. The Italian market led with a significant increase of 6.8%, while Spain recorded a 5.0% rise. Germany also saw a 2.0% uptick, marking its third consecutive week of growth. Conversely, Portugal experienced the smallest growth at 1.7%. The Iberian Peninsula markets collectively noted increases for the second week in a row, indicating a recovery in demand.
The resurgence in electricity consumption can be attributed to the return to normal working activities after the January 6 holiday, particularly in Spain, Italy, and parts of Germany. This normalization has been pivotal in driving demand upwards across these regions.
However, not all markets shared this upward trajectory. Belgium, Great Britain, and France faced declines in electricity demand compared to the previous week. Belgium’s decrease was the least severe at 6.7%, while France experienced a more pronounced drop of 18%. Great Britain reported a 7.0% decline, reflecting regional disparities in post-holiday demand recovery.
Weather conditions also played a role in these trends, with average temperatures across the analyzed markets being milder than the previous week. Temperature increases varied significantly, from 1.1 °C in Portugal to as much as 9.0 °C in Belgium, potentially influencing energy consumption patterns.
Looking ahead to the week of January 19, forecasts from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting suggest an anticipated rise in electricity demand for Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, and Spain. In contrast, both the Portuguese and Italian markets are expected to see a decline in demand during this period, highlighting ongoing fluctuations within European electricity consumption trends.
