Energy crisis: electricity consumption still down last week

The downward trend in electricity consumption in France continues, with a decline of 5.8% last week compared to the average for previous years (2014-2019), according to data published on Tuesday by RTE, the operator of the French electricity transmission network.

This decrease is slightly greater than the previous week when electricity consumption was down 5.4% over one week, which allows the drop over the last four weeks to remain at -6.5% on average compared to the period 2014-2019.

"The downward effect is still at a level close to that observed during the month of October", observes RTE.

According to the network operator, the fall “is largely concentrated in the industrial sector, in a context of rising energy prices”.

“The downward effect in the residential and tertiary sector exists”, stresses RTE, “but has been reduced and more difficult to characterize in detail over the past few weeks (presence of school holidays and public holidays).

"In percentage terms, the bearish effect may be reduced over the next few weeks if it is mainly observed in sectors that are not or only slightly heat-sensitive, such as industry", warns the company.

Risks of tension in January

In a context of energy crisis, RTE has set up weekly monitoring of electricity consumption in mainland France.

The published data was "aligned with normal temperatures for the period" and is independent of the exceptionally mild values ​​recorded in France in October and November.

RTE said it was confident on Friday that the network would hold up for the end of the year, but predicted higher risks of tensions in January, due to the slower-than-expected restart of EDF's nuclear reactors.

Tuesday, 90 local authorities announced a commitment to consume less electricity, particularly in the event of great tension on the electrical system.

The government's sobriety plan, presented on October 6, provides for a reduction in energy consumption of 10% over the next two years in France compared to 2019, and 40% by 2050.