Europe hit by abnormal heat: growing threat of blackouts
Record heat around the world is boosting demand for air conditioners and causing a sharp rise in electricity consumption.
Europe's energy system is being tested for strength as the continent suffocates under the third heat wave of the year — forecasters warn that temperatures on the Mediterranean coast could climb to scorching 43°C this week, while Western Europe braces for potentially record heat, reports 1news.az citing Euronews.com.
France has already placed more than half of its 96 departments under a red-level life-threatening alert, urging residents to avoid direct sunlight and exercise "extreme vigilance." Meanwhile, the UK Met Office warns that daytime highs in southern England could reach 38°C in the coming days, with nights turning "dangerously" tropical (when temperatures do not drop below 20°C at any point during the 24-hour period).
Germany, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland are also expecting abnormal heat that is already beginning to disrupt daily life.
Hundreds of schools across Europe have closed or are releasing students early, while train services in major cities such as Paris and Brussels have been reduced to lower the risk of breakdowns. Paris's Fête de la Musique festival went ahead over the weekend, but authorities banned guests from drinking alcohol in public spaces to reduce the risk of dehydration.
During heat waves, Europe often experiences spikes in electricity consumption due to increased demand for cooling. In 2022, cooling of premises — mainly the operation of air conditioners and fans — accounted for about 7% of global electricity consumption.
When overall electricity demand exceeds available generating capacity or the physical limits of the power grid, system frequency can drop, leading to blackouts. Among European countries, Hungary recorded the longest average duration of outages at 2.92 hours per year, followed by Slovenia with 2.16 hours and Greece with 1.63 hours.
