What is driving the surging demand for air conditioning in Europe in summer 2026, how is Chinese manufacturer Midea responding with its PortaSplit model and new production lines, what are the broader impacts on energy systems in China and Switzerland, and what does the Internatio

Europe's historically low residential air-conditioning penetration — just 3% to 6% — means that each new heatwave pushes millions of additional households to seek cooling for the first time . The PortaSplit, a portable split-unit designed to comply with European regulations, became one of the most sought-after products in the region this summer .

2. How is Midea responding with its PortaSplit model and new production lines?

Midea has mounted a large-scale emergency production and logistics response:

• PortaSplit sales: Since its European launch in 2024, Midea has sold over 300,000 PortaSplit units across Europe . In 2026 alone, shipments to Europe exceeded 200,000 units, doubling year-on-year .
• New production lines: Midea opened a new production line at one facility, doubling its daily portable AC capacity to 6,000 units . Dedicated PortaSplit lines are running at full capacity at Midea's plants in Wuhu (Anhui), Guangzhou (Nansha district), and Shunde (Guangdong) .
• Emergency orders: Within a single month, the Wuhu and Guangzhou factories received 200,000 new European orders amid what Midea called "explosive demand" . In July, Midea rushed 20,000 air conditioners to France in just seven days .
• Expedited logistics: Units are being shipped by air freight, high-speed train, and China-Europe freight trains to bypass normal sea-freight timelines .

3. Broader impacts on energy systems in China and Switzerland

Switzerland: The 2026 heatwave was the longest ever recorded in the country's 160-year meteorological history, with 13 consecutive tropical days in Bern and 39°C recorded in Basel . Cooling systems now account for nearly 11% of Switzerland's electricity use, approaching the 14% share for heating . An average split-unit consumes 700–1,000 kWh/year — several times the consumption of major household appliances — and the simultaneous load during heatwaves places significant strain on the grid .

China: Insufficient search budget was available to find a dedicated source on the impact of this AC production surge on China's own electricity grid. The available evidence focuses on China's role as exporter — factories running around the clock, parts shipped by air and high-speed rail — but does not quantify the domestic energy system impact of this manufacturing ramp-up.

4. IEA projections for global cooling electricity demand growth through 2035

The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects:

• Current levels: Global electricity demand for space cooling was over 2,900 TWh in 2025, up roughly 50% since 2015 .
• 2035 projection: On current policy settings, cooling electricity demand will pass 4,500 TWh by 2035 . The IEA's Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS) expects peak electricity demand to grow about 40% by 2035, driven largely by increased cooling needs .
• Annual growth rate: Global energy demand for space cooling has been growing at about 4% per year since 2000 — double the rate of heating demand growth . By 2035, cooling could consume an additional 1,200 TWh beyond current levels .
• Broader context: The IEA's World Energy Outlook 2025 describes the coming decade as one of "explosive" electricity demand growth, with cooling, data centers, and electric mobility as the three main drivers . The IEA's Energy Technology Perspectives 2026 notes that household AC ownership has tripled globally (to ~40%) since 2000, and electricity use for cooling has more than doubled .