Il electricity consumption in Italy it increased by 2,1% in January 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 26,7 billion kWh. This is revealed by the data of Terna, the company that manages the national transmission network. In detail, in January last year there was one more working day compared to January 2023, with an average monthly temperature that remained stable compared to the previous year but was approximately 1,2°C higher than the average of the last ten years. These factors have contributed to the change in electricity consumption. At a territorial level, the trend change in January was positive everywhere: +2,9% per North part, +2% al Centro and +0,4% al South e Islands.
Industrial and service consumption growing
THEImcei index of Terna, which analyzes the industrial consumption of "energy-intensive" companies, one highlighted growth by 3,5% compared to January 2023. Sectors such as paper, steel, transport and cement, lime and gypsum have shown positive signs of growth. However, some sectors such as non-ferrous metals, ceramics and glass, chemicals and mechanics have recorded a decrease in consumption.
Also 'Index Enter, which monitors the consumption of the food sector services, highlighted one growth by 4,7% in November 2023 compared to the same month of the previous year. This index, based on data processed by five distribution network managers, provides a detailed view of the sector's electricity consumption, divided by product class.
The demand for Italian electricity
During the period January-November 2023, a negative change of -1,2% was recorded compared to the same period of 2022. This trend was influenced by a 2022 characterized by two-speed growth: the first half of the year saw continuous growth until July, followed by a slowdown in the second half of the year which was further accentuated in the last quarter.
In the month of January 2024, electricity demand in Italy 79,1% was covered by national production, while the remaining 20,9% was guaranteed by balance of energy exchanged with theabroad. This monthly foreign balance reached 5,6 TWh, recording an increase of +18% compared to the already high value of January 2023 (4,7 TWh). This result, the highest since 2016, confirms the increasingly important role of interconnections with foreign countries for both the security and the economy of the Italian energy system.
Renewables grow
Net national production was 21,2 billion kWh, with the renewables which covered 33,7% of total electricity demand. This marks an increase from 27,7% in January 2023. Renewable sources such as water, wind e PV recorded significant increases of 47,7%, 22,8% and 25,5% respectively. On the contrary, production from thermal sources decreased by 13,6%, mainly due to the growth of renewables and imports. In particular, the production from carbon it fell by 85% compared to the same period of the previous year.
Terna also noted that the growth trend will continue in 2024 renewable capacity in operation, with a increase of 687 MW compared to the previous year. This figure represents an increase of 131% compared to the same period of the previous year, indicating an ever-increasing commitment to sustainable energy sources.
