Steve Cicala
This paper presents preliminary estimates of how electricity consumption has changed in the European Union since the spread of COVID-19, as a proxy for short-term changes in economic activity. I collect hourly data by country from European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSOE) from 2016-present, and match it with automated weather stations to adjust for heating and cooling demand. As of the week ending 4 April, 2020, power consumption is down roughly 10%, with large differences across countries reflecting the timing and stringency of lockdown policies.