Italian Energy Prices Soar as Heat Wave Boosts Cooling Demand
- Italy is more reliant than Spain on traditional thermal plants
- High temperatures have triggered alerts in many Italian cities
Misting fans cool down customers at a restaurant in Campo de' Fiori in Rome on July 13.
Photographer: Stephanie Gengotti/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The heat wave baking southern Europe is causing particular stress to Italy’s energy system, which still relies on natural gas to generate the power to meet cooling demand.
Emergency heat alerts have been issued for many Italian cities as temperatures soar above 40C (104F). That’s pushing up demand for air-conditioning, and feeding directly through to higher gas and power prices.