France's electricity production declined last year, with a decline in nuclear power and hydraulics, but also in coal, the latter point making it possible to reduce CO2 emissions, RTE said on Wednesday. With 537.7 TWh produced in France last year, France saw its electricity production decrease by 2% compared to 2018, indicates the manager of the high-voltage network in its annual balance sheet.
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This decline is explained by a drop in nuclear EDF production (-3.5%) with less availability of the fleet, a drop in hydraulic production (-12.1%) due to rain and snow conditions and a very sharp decline in production from coal (-71.9%). Gas-fired power plants, which are more competitive and also emit less CO2 than coal-fired power plants, saw their production jump by 24%. Wind (+ 21.2%) and solar (+ 7.8%) production also continued to increase.
These elements enabled a reduction of 6% in CO2 emissions linked to the electrical system. "These are now at a level close to that of 2015, the lowest level in 5 years", notes RTE. Electricity consumption (473 TWh) has eroded by 0.5% (weather-adjusted figure), at its lowest level in 10 years, with efforts to improve energy efficiency, the slowdown in economic growth but also the social movements at the end of the year.
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In the end, France continues to produce more electricity than it consumes and remains a net exporter to its neighbors. It thus remained the leading European exporter last year, according to RTE.