The operator of the French high-voltage electricity network will invest massively in 2023 and over the following years to connect the two large offshore wind farms of Saint-Brieuc and Fécamp and strengthen the electrification of the country, RTE indicated on Tuesday by announcing its results.
Last year, the accounts of the public group, a 50.1% subsidiary of EDF, the rest being held by Caisse des Dépôts and CNP, illustrate the drop in electricity consumption by industrialists and households in the country ( -1.7% over the year), with a decline of 6% in turnover to 4.9 billion euros, and 27% in net profit to 485 million, Laurent Martel told AFP , CEO of the group's finance division.
But they also reflect "
very cautious management of the group
", in the face of the historic soaring energy prices last year, according to him.
Read alsoThese SMEs trapped by electricity contracts signed at a high price
For 2023, the amount of RTE's investment program amounts to 1.88 billion euros, i.e. an increase of almost 10% compared to the amount achieved in 2022 which itself had increased by 10%. specified RTE.
“
Never since RTE was created in 2005 has such a level of investment been reached,
” declared Laurent Martel.
In 2022, 22% of the sums were devoted to the development of the offshore network, with the connection of the Saint-Nazaire offshore park, worth 280 million euros.
Twenty-five percent of the sums were devoted to the renewal of the network, with in particular, in Seine-Saint-Denis, the construction of a 2.5 km gallery for the burial of high-voltage lines allowing the construction of the village Olympic Games 2024 in Paris.
"
We plan to exceed two billion euros of investment in 2024, and to exceed 4 billion in 2028-2029
," said Laurent Martel.
The group, which employs 9,500 people, also plans to double its rate of recruitment, with 700 new employees expected in 2023.
Read alsoThe future of EDF electrifies the National Assembly
In addition to the wind connections, RTE will work on the interconnection between France and Ireland and between France and Spain, and plans " considerable
" work
to supply industrialists "
who are decarbonizing their activity in Dunkirk, Le Havre and Fos in particular,
” indicated Laurent Martel.
As a result, the group's net debt soared to 9.9 billion euros at the end of 2022 and "
will further
" swell.
But RTE appears calm and highlights its "
very healthy financial situation
", recalling that Standard and Poor's confirmed in May 2022 the "
A, outlook stable
" rating of its debt, which is "
better than most European neighbours
" according to Laurent Martel.
RTE plans "
another issue
" of green bonds in 2023, after that of 2022.
