An unusually cold January, ranked among the coldest in the past decade by the Slovenian Environment Agency, triggered a significant rise in electricity demand across the country. The connection between temperature drops and higher power usage was particularly evident on 8 January, when subzero morning conditions caused a record peak in consumption between 8 and 9 AM.
Total electricity drawn from the transmission network during the month reached 1,271.8 GWh, marking a 12.8% increase compared to January 2025. Demand also exceeded initial balance forecasts by 11.7%, with growth observed across all three monitored consumer categories.
Distribution companies accounted for the bulk of the increase, withdrawing 1,165 GWh in January—a year-on-year rise of over 13%, surpassing projections by more than 14%. Large direct consumers also increased usage, drawing 69.8 GWh, up 10.6% from the previous year. Meanwhile, the pumped-storage hydropower plant Avce increased electricity intake for pumping operations to 37 GWh, an annual rise of more than 8%.
The data highlights the sensitivity of Slovenia’s electricity system to winter weather, with colder conditions quickly translating into higher network demand.
