Pixie Chart of the week | Demand and emissions down across Europe

In this week’s extended Chart of the Week, we’ve looked at daily average electricity demand and carbon emissions across five key European markets, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, for a 4-week period from 23 March (the commencement of lockdown in the UK) to 19 April.

In order to assess carbon emissions across Europe we have applied the National Grid’s Carbon Intensity Forecast Methodology to each country’s generation mix and demand data, sourced from national Transmission System Operators (TSOs).

To keep reading, please log in to your account

Related thinking

Low carbon generation

Lean, clean, electrolysing machines – how clean is Australia’s hydrogen future?

The Clean Energy Regulator is currently exploring how to define ‘low-emissions’ hydrogen production through a Guarantee of Origin (GO) scheme for Australia. Such a scheme could set a threshold level for carbon emissions from the production process in order to classify it as being ‘clean’, similar to schemes in operation...

Commercial and market outlook

Germany to step up climate action

The German Economic Affairs and Climate Action Minister Robert Habeck recently presented a review of Germany’s current climate action status detailing both climate targets in various sectors and the expansion of renewables and the power grid. However, the minister stated that climate action in Germany is currently below expectations, with...

Business supply and services

Uptake of energy efficiency measures predicted to increase in the SME market

Cornwall Insight recently conducted research as part of its 2021 TPIs in the Business and Industrial Supply Markets report. The report shows that TPIs operating in the SME market note low uptake of energy efficiency measures from their clients currently. However, there is an expectation that this will increase in...

Commercial and market outlook

Chart of the week | Green recovery in Italy?

Issue 229 of ‘Chart of the week’ showcases Italian prime minister Mario Draghi’s economic recovery plan which was presented to the country’s parliament. The appointment of Mario Draghi, former head of the European Central Bank, as prime minister on 13 February has provided the country with a unique opportunity to...

Commercial and market outlook

Chart of the week | UK carbon emissions were down 10% in 2020

BEIS published its provisional 2020 UK greenhouse gas emissions figures on 25 March. In this 'Chart of the week', we consider the significant impact of COVID-19 and the resulting lockdowns in the UK on carbon emissions last year. Carbon emissions in the UK are provisionally estimated to have fallen by...

Commercial and market outlook

Chart of the week | The wind of change: Germany’s future in the air

Germany's newly installed wind capacity increased 260% in quarter one of 2020 compared to the same period last year. However, this increase is still marginal in the context of previous years and Germany’s wider renewable targets. January to March this year saw the installation of 107 new turbines, according to...

Low carbon generation

Pixie Chart of the week | Germany demonstrates benefit of auction system

Germany regularly runs auctions to subsidise renewable generation capacity. In 2020, it plans to run 20 auctions – seven solar, seven onshore wind, three biomass and three mixed wind and solar – as well as six for CHP engines, seeking nearly 7GW of capacity in total. The auctions set a...

Heat networks

Pixie Chart of the week | Decarbonisation means lower gas consumption?

This Pixie Chart of the week compares the source of heating fuels from four European nations with the UK. Each country has a different starting point, challenges and opportunities based on their fuel use and social and economic factors. However, they are all still looking to significantly decarbonise over the next three decades.