The energy group EDF on Monday revised its range of French nuclear production estimates for the whole year in view of a successful first half.
Read also: Wind power at sea: EDF wins a large contract in the United States
"Given the good progress of the first half of 2021, EDF is raising its estimate of nuclear production for the whole of 2021 from 330 terawatt-hours (TWh) - 360 TWh to 345 TWh - 365 TWh"
, according to a press release from the electrician.
This new estimate, however, remains below the 379.5 TWh produced in 2019, before the health crisis.
Drop in electricity consumption
The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a drop in electricity consumption of up to 20% in France with the shutdown of entire sections of the economy.
“The production hypothesis for 2022 remains unchanged at this stage”
in a range of 330 TWh - 360 TWh, adds EDF.
Nuclear power today produces more than 70% of French electricity, and the government has chosen to reduce it to 50% by 2035, in order to diversify its energy mix in favor of renewable energies.
