According to the latest figures published by RTE, the electricity network manager, electricity consumption continues to fall in France. Thus, the country should spend the winter comfortably without risk of blackout.
Electricity consumption is falling in France
Winter is approaching, but concerns about an electrical blackout seem to be fading in France. Indeed, a combination of lower consumptionan increase in renewable energies and better nuclear production seems to guarantee security of supply for this winter.
Electricity consumption in France remains below levels before Covid-19 and the energy crisis. Today, it is still around 6% below the 2014-2019 average. According to RTE, this initial decline could well be on the verge of stabilizing. In 2024, the level of consumption remains at the same threshold as in 2023. In fact, a possible rebound in the years to come cannot be ruled out. In addition, this possible future increase would be supported by factors such as the fall in energy prices on the markets, but also through industrial projects securing their access to the network.
The nuclear fleet continues to improve in performance
The state of the French nuclear fleet is much better than in the last two years. In November 2024, the available power reaches 47 GW, an increase of 9 GW compared to 2023 and even 15 GW compared to 2022, a year marked by a stress corrosion crisis. RTE anticipates a capacity of 50 GW in January 2025, a figure which, although lower than in the 2010s (55 GW), remains higher than in recent years.
At the same time, hydraulic production is experiencing an unprecedented revival. After a particularly bad year in 2022, 2024 will see the return of significant precipitation. Production reached 62 TWh over the first ten months of the year, an increase of 40% compared to 2023.
Finally, the year 2024 marks the return of France as a net exporter of electricity after an importer status in 2022, a phenomenon not seen since 1980. Net exports in 2024 will reach a balance of between 80 and 85 TWh, thus representing an important asset for the country's trade balance.
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