Electricity demand in Italy increased by 2,1% in May Compared to the same month last year, renewable sources covered 52,8% of the national demand. This is what Terna found in its latest analysis for the month of May.
Terna: Demand up 2,6% in May
According to data from Terna, the company that manages the national transmission grid led by Pasqualino Monti, National electricity demand in May grew to 24,8 TWh. The month saw one fewer working day (20 instead of 21) and an average monthly temperature almost identical to that of the same period in 2025. In the last ten days of the month, however, temperatures were up to 6°C above average, which contributed to the increase in demand. Corrected for temperature and calendar effects, the figure in fact marks an increase of 2,6%.
At the local level, the the trend variation is positive throughout the country: +1,4% in the North, +2,6% in the Centre and +3,3% in the South and the islands.
Industrial consumption grows for the ninth consecutive month
In May, the IMCEI index, which examines the industrial consumption of approximately 1.000 energy-intensive companies, increased by 2,2%, marking the ninth consecutive month of growth. In the period January-May 2026, the index shows aa growth of 4,5% compared to the same period of the 2025.
Starting from November 2024 there will be a average annual growth rate of 5% Based on the monthly data adjusted for calendar effects, the cement, lime, and plaster, iron and steel, ceramics, glass, and transportation sectors performed well; non-ferrous metals, food, chemicals, and mechanical engineering sectors declined; the paper industry remained stable.
The Imser index (Monthly Services Index), which Terna publishes based on monthly electricity consumption data provided by several distribution network operators (E-Distribuzione, Unareti, A-Reti, Edyna, Duereti, and Deval), and presented two months later than the Imcei data, showed an increase of 1,3% in March 2026. The first three months of the year saw an increase of 1,4%, the company explained in a statement.
Photovoltaic will be the first renewable source in May
In the month of May, photovoltaic was the first renewable source, with a production of over 6 TWh, up 19,3% compared to the same period last year, mainly driven by installed capacity: +2,6 GW from January to today.
On the other hand, water sources (-38,5%), biomass (-7,3%) and geothermal sources (-5,8%) are decreasing. Wind power on the rise (+14,5%). As of May 31, there were 86,42 GW of installed renewable power, of which 46,12 GW was solar and 13,91 GW was wind.
At a regional level, the trend variation is positive across the country: +1,4% in the North, +2,6% in the Centre and +3,3% in the South and on the islands.
