CONSUMPTION: France was able to lower its electricity consumption due to a milder weather
Last September, because of the war in Ukraine and the tension that existed on the electricity network, due to much-needed maintenance work, the government had warned that there could be power cuts or load shedding during the winter.
Indeed, at that time, a number of nuclear reactors were under maintenance while others were under repair due to corrosion problems.
Nearly half of the reactors were shut down!
We could then fear the worst for the winter.
Finally, winter has passed. You survived and so did I.
The winter energy balance is even quite surprising: electricity consumption has fallen by nearly 10% in France.
EDF and RTE, the manager of the electricity transmission network, can breathe.
What does Miss Meteo say?
Winter 2022/2023 was mild. Meteo France informs us that this is due to the action of the Azores anticyclone, which was stronger than usual.
It was, moreover, located a little to the northeast, which had the effect of shifting the climatic disturbances towards the north of Europe.
As a result, it was less cold and it rained less.
The average temperature was above normal by 0.8°C. Rainfall was 25% below normal, which is worrying for the rest of the year.
The tension in agriculture is likely to be strong because the water tables fill up in winter.
A dry winter is sometimes worse than a dry summer, and if the two follow one another… It’s not good for anyone and especially not for the farmers.
Fortunately, February was a surplus. The end of winter will have been better than the beginning for the earth and the plants.
Winter 2022 is one of the warmest that France has known since 1900. Periods of great mildness alternated with peaks of cold without there being a real cold snap.
This is perhaps the first natural explanation for the drop in electricity consumption that took place in France this winter.
The prospect of inflation pushes the French to make efforts
The second reason for the significant decline in electricity consumption in France during the winter of 2022/23 is galloping inflation.
On February 1, 2023, electricity in France increased by 15%.
This increase is regulated by the authorities.
We are told that it should have been 99%. The price of electricity would then have doubled!
In any case, these increases were planned and announced. And the French took it into account.
According to the report published by RTE (Electricity transport network), the rise in prices and energy savings accounted for three-quarters of the fall in consumption.
In volume, the drop in consumption would have represented 20 terawatt-hours (TW/h).
For the government and RTE, this is good news. The French followed their recommendations.
And it happened without question.
No “red Ecowatt” plan this winter
Furthermore, according to RTE, the availability of the nuclear fleet was in line with its central forecast and the interconnection with European countries operated smoothly. In short, everything is fine!
The winter, therefore, went off without a hitch or stress on the part of the energy manager, who did not have to trigger the “Ecowatt rouge” system.
This plan provides for load shedding and power cuts in the event of a power shortage.
The “Ecowatt” system was set up to warn consumers in the event of disturbances in the electricity network.
It’s a bit like the flags hoisted on the beaches in summer which indicate the level of risk linked to the sea for swimmers.
Ecowatt indicates the level of risk of power cuts.
Green tells you that everything is fine, you can put your chicken in the oven. No cuts are planned.
Orange tells you that the power consumption is high. All the neighbours have already put their chicken in the oven before or, more likely, there is a problem on the network. The risk of a cut exists. If you have extra bread and cheese, it’s a wise precaution.
Red informs you that power cuts will occur. It is urgent to limit your electricity consumption. Take out the salad, the bread and the cheese and forget the oven and the toaster.
Rapid geography of energy consumption declines this winter
According to Enedis, between the 15th October 2022 and the 5th February 2023, the largest drops in consumption took place in the departments of southern France. (14)
The Lot and the Landes are at – 14%, the Aude at – 13%, and the departments of the Pyrenees are at – 12% on average.
Gironde, Tarn and Tarn et Garonne are also at -12%.
In Provence, most departments are around -11%.
Unsurprisingly, the northern departments, where it is colder, have seen a less marked drop in their electricity consumption.
The Pas de Calais, the Ardennes, the Moselle, the Mayenne or the Orne are all around – 4 or – 5% of their electricity consumption compared to the previous year. In Paris, consumption fell by 10%.
To all these efforts made by individuals, some municipalities have added reductions in collective electricity consumption.
Public electric lighting fell by 20% for example in Ariège over the first 15 days of December.
For Enedis, citizens can do even better next year.
For citizens, it is also likely that RTE and Enedis can do better.
No doubt everyone should be congratulated for the energy savings achieved.
But I do not forget that they are sometimes accompanied by anxieties linked to the loss of purchasing power and the lack of vision of our leaders. Is there a clear line in terms of energy at the French level? At the European level?
I’m not sure people are convinced of that. In the meantime, the most reasonable attitude is to tighten one’s belt.
Improving the insulation of houses is also a good option!
