The weather, so far mild, deteriorated in November.
After a surprisingly mild start to autumn, the very marked cooling in temperatures therefore makes the French fear power cuts this winter, against a backdrop of the energy crisis.
"
We want to anticipate all possible scenarios
," replied Olivier Véran, after the Council of Ministers on Tuesday.
“
The weeks and months to come will be marked by a natural increase in demand for electricity from businesses and households, due to the need for heating
,” added the government spokesperson.
However, if, "
in normal times (...),
our electricity production is aligned with this increase in demand
, it could be that this year - and I am watching here for the use of the conditional -, the production and the demand for electricity is not completely aligned on certain very cold days
” or “
if the winter is very harsh
”, mysteriously warned the member of the government.
A way of recognizing, in less technocratic language, that yes, "
the situation could be difficult (...) if we do not adapt some of our consumption habits at the most critical time
".
In its latest report, however, RTE is more alarmist, estimating that an “
even moderate
” cold snap would be enough to put the network under tension.
“
We have the first intervention curtains
”, dodged Olivier Véran, according to whom “
efforts
” could be requested “
from certain very consuming companies
”.
As well as "
small voltage drops on certain painless lines for households
" could be triggered.
Finally, "
in the event of a critical scenario
", an "
exceptional device, of last resort, has been planned by the government
", concluded Olivier Véran, without giving further details.