The downward trend in electricity consumption in France continues, with a 5.8% drop compared to last week’s (2014-2019) average, according to data released by French power grid operator RTE on Tuesday.
This decrease is slightly stronger than the previous week, when electricity consumption fell by 5.4% over the week, keeping the last 4-week decline at an average of -6.5% compared to 2014-2019. “The bearish effect is still close to the level seen in OctoberRTE notes.
According to the network operator, the decline “mainly concentrated in the industrial sector in the context of rising energy prices”. “The decreasing effect is present in the residential and tertiary sector.”highlights RTE, “but in recent weeks it’s been more truncated and harder to characterize (subject to school holidays and public holidays).
48.7 to 58.7 GW/day
“Percentage-wise, the downside effect could be reduced over the next few weeks if it is mostly seen in sectors that are not or slightly sensitive to heat, such as industry.”, warns the company. In the period between November 13 and 20, the consumption varied between 48.7-58.7 GW/day. Amidst the energy crisis, RTE has established weekly monitoring of electricity consumption in mainland France.
The published data was “According to the normal temperature of the period” and are independent of the exceptionally mild values recorded in France in October and November. RTE said on Friday it was confident the grid would be up and running by the end of the year, but predicted greater risks of strain in January due to a slower-than-expected restart of EDF’s nuclear reactors.
On Tuesday, 90 local governments announced a commitment to use less electricity, especially when the power system is under heavy strain. The government’s austerity plan, presented on October 6, envisages a 10% reduction in energy consumption in France in the next two years compared to 2019, and by 40% in 2050.
Source: Le Figaro
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