Based on Copernicus, June 2026 was the most popular June on report in Western Europe and the second warmest globally. The three warmest years on report globally have been 2024, 2023, and 2025.
Rising temperatures and warmth waves are inflicting extra folks to make use of air con. That is growing power demand throughout Europe. Power consumption for family cooling within the EU doubled between 2018 and 2024.
So how has power consumption for cooling modified throughout Europe? Which nations recorded the very best will increase? And by which nations does cooling account for the biggest share of power use?
The quantity of family power consumed for cooling within the EU clearly reveals how demand is growing. From 40.5 thousand terajoules (TJ) in 2018 to 80.4 thousand terajoules (TJ) in 2024, a rise of 99%.
In 2010 it was solely 15.5 thousand TJ, which implies consumption has elevated by 420% in 14 years.
Catch behind the largest enhance
Modifications from 2018 to 2024 will differ extensively throughout Europe. Nonetheless, these progress charges ought to be interpreted with warning.
Some nations that beforehand used little or no power for cooling are starting to undertake air con and different cooling strategies. Though consumption stays low, it’s more likely to enhance at a really excessive price.
In Austria, for instance, family power consumption for cooling elevated from 22 TJ in 2018 to 253 TJ in 2024.
This makes Austria the nation with the biggest enhance in power consumption for cooling by greater than 1,000% between 2018 and 2024. Amongst EU nations, power use for cooling elevated by 244% within the Czech Republic. Italy ranks third with a 193% enhance, highlighting that demand continues to develop even in nations the place air con is already widespread.
Hungary (171%), Finland (163%), Spain (127%), Slovenia (114%) and Greece (103%) additionally greater than doubled their power consumption for area cooling throughout this era.
Along with Italy, the rise in Spain and Greece reveals how cooling wants are rising throughout southern Europe.
Among the many EU’s largest economies, France recorded a rise of 52%, whereas Germany remained comparatively secure with a rise of solely 8%.
A zero within the graph signifies that no power consumption for cooling was reported, not that there was no enhance.
Air con has a big share in some nations
The share of power used for cooling in family ultimate consumption varies extensively throughout Europe, reflecting variations in local weather and geography.
In 2024, the EU common was simply 0.84%, or lower than 1%.
Nonetheless, in some nations, cooling accounts for a big proportion of family power use. Cyprus ranks first with 16% of family power consumption used for cooling. Malta (15%) and EU membership candidate Albania (13.4%) are additionally in double digits.
In Greece, 7.4% of family power consumption is used for cooling. This proportion is above 2% in North Macedonia (3%), Montenegro (2.9%), Spain (2.5%), Italy (2.3%) and Croatia (2.1%).
Italy makes use of a 3rd of the EU’s power for cooling
Italy (26.3 thousand TJ) is the nation with the very best power consumption for cooling within the EU. Extra importantly, it accounts for nearly a 3rd of the EU’s complete of 32.7%.
Spain ranks second in each share and absolute consumption, with 17.8% and 14.3 thousand TJ. Greece has the third highest share within the EU at 14.8%, far exceeding France (11.8%).
Together with the candidate nations, Turkey has the third highest power consumption for cooling at 13.6 thousand TJ.
Warmth wave will rage in June 2026 Electrical energy demand and worth
Rising cooling wants are already reshaping Europe’s electrical energy market.
Throughout the June 2026 heatwave; Demand for electrical energy surges throughout the EU’s 4 largest economies;France recorded the biggest enhance. Based on French grid operator RTE, every 1°C rise in temperature usually will increase electrical energy demand by 0.7GW to 1GW, with cooling accounting for a further 10GW to 14GW on the most popular days.
Wholesale electrical energy costs have elevated considerably attributable to elevated demand. Costs exceeded 200 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) in Germany, nearly 160 euros/MWh in France, and over 110 euros/MWh in Spain. This surge was pushed not solely by increased demand for cooling, but additionally by provide constraints attributable to weak wind energy technology in Germany mixed with momentary wind energy impacts. Unusually heat river water causes France to chop nuclear energy manufacturing. Increased wholesale costs is probably not mirrored in family payments instantly, but when the value will increase are extended, they might finally result in increased retail electrical energy costs.
Europe is warming twice as quick as the worldwide common
Europe is the warmest continent on Earth, warming twice as quick as the worldwide common. Based on FAO information, the ten nations experiencing the very best temperature will increase in 2023 are all in Europe, reflecting the rising impression of local weather change on the continent.
