Extreme heat is putting increasing pressure on Europe’s electricity grids as rising temperatures increase the need for air conditioning in homes, offices and businesses, driving up electricity demand, tightening power markets and, in some cases, reducing electricity supply.
Although air-conditioning remains far less common in Europe than in many other parts of the world, ownership is rising as heatwaves become more frequent. Around 20% of households have air conditioning, according to the International Energy Agency, and that share is expected to grow as the continent warms.
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