Electricity demand declined across most major European markets during the third week of July compared with the previous week, according to AleaSoft Energy Forecasting. The data show Italy recording the sharpest fall, while Germany posted the largest increase.
Weekly demand changes across selected European markets
Italy registered a 10% decline in weekly electricity demand, the largest decrease among the markets analysed. France followed with a 3.8% drop, while Great Britain recorded a 3.7% fall. Belgium saw a 3.4% decrease and Portugal a 2.4% decline.
The broader downward trend had two main exceptions. Electricity demand increased by 2.4% in Germany and by 1.0% in Spain during the same week-on-week comparison.
Temperature shifts linked to demand movements
The changes in electricity demand coincided with mixed temperature developments across Europe. Average temperatures declined in most of the markets analysed, with Great Britain showing the largest weekly decrease of 2.7°C. Temperatures fell by 1.2°C in France and by 0.9°C in Portugal.
Spain and Belgium recorded more moderate temperature declines of 0.4°C. Italy and Germany moved in the opposite direction, with average temperatures rising by 1.5°C in Italy and by 0.7°C in Germany.
AleaSoft outlook for the fourth week of July
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting expects electricity demand to increase in Italy and Portugal for the fourth week of July. Demand is forecast to decline in Germany, Spain, France, Belgium and Great Britain over the same period.
The company said the contrasting outlook reflects ongoing temperature trends, seasonal conditions and cooling demand affecting European electricity consumption during summer.
