Extreme heat is putting increasing pressure on Europe's electricity grids as rising temperatures increase the need for air conditioning in homes, offices and businesses, driving up electricity demand, tightening power markets and, in some cases, reducing electricity supply.
Although air-conditioning remains far less common in Europe than in many other parts of the world, ownership is rising as heatwaves become more frequent. Around 20% of households have air conditioning, according to the International Energy Agency, and that share is expected to grow as the continent warms.
“As Europe heats up, a growing number of people are reconsidering. Over the past 10 years, ownership of ACs has increased by about half, and annual sales are now about 30% higher than they were only 5 years ago,” Fabian Voswinkel, energy efficiency policy analyst at the International Energy Agency (IEA), told Euronews.
Last week, Germany recorded exceptionally high temperatures on three consecutive days, with the eastern town of Coschen reaching 41.7°C on 28 June. France recorded its hottest June day on record on 24 June, while temperatures reached 43.8°C in Palluau in western France. Spain also experienced its hottest June days on record on 23 and 24 June.
