IEA unveils forecasts for EU electricity consumption

The European Union’s electricity consumption rose by an estimated 0.9% in 2025, driven by colder winter temperatures, record-breaking summer heatwaves, and growing uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said.

“Electricity demand in the EU is returning to growth after the energy crisis, with buildings and transport leading the way,” the agency noted.

Following a 1.6% increase in 2024, higher space heating needs in Q1 and a surge in air conditioning use in the commercial and residential sectors significantly boosted electricity consumption in 2025, CE Report informs.

“The continued uptake of EVs and heat pumps were also key drivers of growth,” the IEA added.

While electricity use in the industrial sector remained broadly flat in 2025 after modest growth in 2024, the buildings sector is expected to account for most of the demand increase over the next five years.

“Rising power use from data centres will provide a sizeable share, but cooling, heat pumps, and growth in the commercial sector will be the main contributors,” the report said.

Transport follows closely behind, with accelerating EV adoption projected to add more than 100 TWh to electricity demand through 2030. Overall, the IEA forecasts EU electricity consumption to increase by around 300 TWh over the next five years.

“Assuming moderate industrial recovery, the bulk of growth will come from residential, commercial, and transport sectors,” it concluded.