Published on
30/06/2026 - 12:47 GMT+2
Europe’s climate change-fuelled heatwave has added more than €700 million to electricity bills in France and Germany alone in just one week, according to new analysis by environmental NGO 350.org.
Heatwaves drive up demand for cooling and with increased electricity consumption comes higher prices. Comparing 21-27 June 2026 – when record heat gripped much of western Europe – against a baseline of 14-20 June, the analysis shows that electricity prices rose by an estimated €371 million in Germany and €360 million in France.
These extra costs come on top of elevated oil and gas prices due to the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz shipping route, which Iran closed in response to the US-Israel offensive launched against the country more than 100 days ago.
