Electricity consumption up by 4pc

Electricity consumption in the Balearics rose by four per cent last year compared to the previous year, according to a report from Gesa-Endesa. This was only half the increases in previous years, which have topped eight per cent since 1998, peaking at 10.2 per cent in 1999. A company spokesman attributed the moderate growth to the fact that there were no extreme temperatures last year, and the islands enjoyed a mild summer and start to winter. Other factors include a report that the installation of air conditioners and heating in homes and offices has become stable. The increase also followed the evolution of tourism in the archipelago, which this year has seen a considerable reduction in the number of visitors. But consumption continues to rise year by year, even though Gesa has had to delay opening new supply lines, particularly in the east of Majorca and Ibiza, because of bureaucratic delays. The increase in consumption in Ibiza and Formentera was 6.70 per cent, compared to 3.33 per cent in Minorca and 3.58 per cent in Majorca. Municipalities where growth was higher than ten per cent were Algaida, Binissalem, Buger, Escorca, Esporles, Lloret, Llubí, Mancor, Petra and Sineu.