Electricity demand reached its third record peak on Monday, registering a substantial 21,650 megawatts. The significant surge occurred precisely at 2:21 PM amidst a persistent heatwave affecting the régions côtières de plusieurs wilayas. This new peak not only establishes a fresh benchmark for energy consumption but also significantly surpasses previous records, indicating sustained and escalating high energy consumption across the affected areas as temperatures remain elevated. The consistent upward trend in demand shows the growing strain on the electricity grid during periods of intense heat.
Consecutive Record Peaks
The electricity demand curve has notably registered three consecutive record peaks this year, demonstrating a clear pattern of increasing consumption. The first of these occurred on July 12, when demand reached 21,176 MW. This was followed by a further increase on July 13, with demand climbing to 21,378 MW. The latest and highest peak was then recorded on Monday, August 17, registering 21,650 MW. This new peak recorded on Monday, August 17, at 21,650 MW, represents a notable increase. Specifically, this figure surpasses the peak of 21,378 MW recorded just over a month prior, on July 13, by 272 megawatts. It also exceeded the earlier record peak of 21,176 MW registered on July 12 by an even greater margin of 474 megawatts. The peak recorded on Monday further exceeded the peak recorded in 2025 by 1,022 MW, noting the rapid escalation of demand in the current year.
Broader Consumption Trends
Peak electricity consumption has shown a consistent and pronounced upward trend over recent years, reflecting a broader pattern of increasing energy usage. The peak demand escalated significantly from 16,666 MW in 2022 to 18,476 MW in 2023, marking a substantial increase year-on-year. Continuing this trajectory, it reached 19,543 MW in 2024 and further climbed to 20,628 MW in 2025. The 21,650 MW peak recorded on Monday represents a significant increase compared to all previous years. This latest figure is notably 4,984 MW higher than the peak recorded in 2022, showing the rapid growth in demand. This overall increase signifies a substantial 30% rise in electricity demand over a four-year period, illustrating the accelerated rate at which consumption is growing.
Drivers of Increased Demand
The Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies attributes these historical increases in electricity consumption to the intensive use of energy-consuming appliances. This usage is prevalent among domestic subscribers, who constitute a significant portion of the consumer base, as well as public and private establishments across various sectors. These appliances, particularly air conditioners, contribute significantly to the heightened demand, especially during periods of extreme heat. The Ministry notes that intensive appliance use is observed to occur notably during specific peak hours, specifically between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. This three-hour window coincides with the hottest part of the day, when the need for cooling is most acute. The increased reliance on such equipment during these critical times places considerable strain on the electricity grid, directly leading to the reported record peaks and posing challenges for energy supply management.