Italians used 53,500 megawatts of electricity by 0900 GMT, breaking the previous record of 53,400 megawatts, which was registered in December 2003 and caused by a cold snap.

"Like it was on Thursday, the determining factor in this rise in consumption has been the extremely hot weather which leads to massive use of air-conditioning and other cooling systems" the GRTN said in a statement.

Italian civil protection authorities put Rome and Milan on a level three health alert, the highest, for Friday and Saturday due to the risks posed by the heat to the elderly and sick. According to the authorities, temperatures there are expected to reach about 35 degrees Celsius, but humidity will make it feel much hotter.

The health alert will drop down to zero and relief from the scorching weather is expected on Sunday when weather forecasts predict rain and an accompanying drop in temperatures.

TERRA.WIRE