Europe is experiencing relentless heatwaves that have significantly increased electricity demand, leading to widespread power outages and water shortages across the region.
Southern and eastern European countries are particularly hard hit, with the intensified use of air conditioning and cold water placing unprecedented stress on existing infrastructure. Recent weeks have seen numerous systems fail as a result.
According to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, July 22 marked the Earth’s warmest day on record, with the daily global average temperature reaching 17.16 degrees Celsius. \"We are now in truly uncharted territory and as the climate keeps warming, we are bound to see new records being broken in future months and years,\" stated Carlo Buontempo, the service's director.
In Italy, major cities like Rome, Naples, and Florence have recorded temperatures nearing all-time highs, while regions such as Sardinia and Sicily are experiencing extreme heat up to 44 degrees Celsius. The country is responding by increasing energy imports due to a decline in hydropower production and a surge in air conditioning usage, as reported by Italian media.
Malta, a Mediterranean island nation, has faced prolonged blackouts in certain areas. The underground distribution network has struggled to cope with the intense heat, resulting in power outages that lasted up to 40 hours in places like Gzira until repairs could be made.
Reference(s):
Power cuts, water shortages hit Europe amid constant heat wave
cgtn.com
