Slovenia electricity demand edges up in March as industrial use strengthens

Slovenia’s electricity demand showed a modest but steady lift in March, underscoring continued momentum into the first quarter as consumption rose across multiple customer groups. Total withdrawals from the transmission network reached 966.5 GWh, roughly 1.5% higher than in the same month last year.

March growth spread across consumer categories

Electricity consumption increased across all monitored consumer categories. The largest year-on-year gain came from pump-storage hydropower plant Avče, where electricity used for pumping operations climbed 18.4%. Direct consumers also recorded a solid rise in demand of 9.9%, while distribution companies remained comparatively stable, with only a marginal 0.1% increase versus the previous year.

First-quarter demand runs above last year and forecasts

On a broader view, electricity consumption continued to trend upward during January to March. Total demand over the quarter reached 3,243.7 GWh—3.8% higher than last year—and also exceeded earlier forecasts for the period by 3.4%. Distribution system operators accounted for the biggest share of total demand, increasing consumption by 3.4% year-on-year.

Direct consumers posted an even stronger quarterly increase of 9.1%, consistent with higher industrial and commercial activity reflected in early-2026 data. Avče hydropower plant activity also supported overall growth, with electricity use for operational needs rising 3.7% compared with the same period last year.

Taken together, the figures point to a consistent upward trajectory in Slovenia’s electricity consumption, supported by both seasonal factors and rising activity across different segments of the market in early 2026.