France expects to avoid any risk of power cuts this winter thanks to fully replenished dams, repaired nuclear plants, and new electricity production capacities like the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm.
Seeking to reassure households after many in the country were called on to limit their energy use last winter (indeed, many felt obliged to do so as utility bills soared), French grid operator RTE forecasted a low risk to the electricity supply in the coming months as it published its Winter 2023-24 Electric System Outlook report on Wednesday.
The outlook is more favourable than last year, despite there being less nuclear power available than in the 2010s. Whilst the report admits infrastructure faults and the need for emergency measures can’t be completely ruled out, they’re much less likely than last winter.
The frugal French
Electricity consumption currently remains around 8% below the 2014-2019 reference period. On the supply side, “a significant portion of the nuclear fleet has been inspected and repaired during the year”, while hydro and gas stocks are high for the season and renewable energies continue to develop, RTE noted.
The risk of power cuts, considered as a last resort in winter 2022-23, is now “very low” states RTE President Xavier Piechaczyk. Emergency measures would only be triggered in very lost scenarios combining several unfavourable events, such as rapid consumption increase, start-up delays at nuclear plants, severe cold waves or major import restrictions, according to RTE.
Last year, France had to import electricity for the first time in 42 years after corrosion was detected on several nuclear reactors saw them closed over safety concerns. France returned to being a power exporter in January 2023.
