The French have been more ants than cicadas this winter.
The policy of diversifying the country's gas supplies, and the sobriety of consumers and businesses have paid off.
As a result, gas stocks in France are reaching historically high levels.
On January 15, the country had 106 TWh of gas, i.e. a reserve rate of 80%, compared to an average of 55% over the last 6 years on the same date.
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In detail, the LNG terminals were mobilized, with a 41% increase in LNG imports between November 1, 2022 and January 15, 2023. These entries represented approximately 75% of French consumption.
On the other hand, consumption fell by 12.8%
“in climate-corrected data”
.
But beware, this drop in the name of sobriety is all relative good news.
Consumers have certainly reduced their consumption by 13%.
For companies, the decline is 24%, some having had to interrupt their activity because they were unable to cope with the soaring prices.
These reductions made it possible to offset the increase in gas consumption intended for the production of electricity, which jumped by 23%.
The restart of nuclear power plants should make it possible to reduce the use of gas-fired power plants.
Serenity for next winter
“
Given the high storage levels in Europe and world markets, a drop in LNG entries has begun recently
,” adds GRT gaz.
Although the cold may be returning to the country this week, it will not have a major impact on the country's gas stocks.
Thierry Found, Managing Director of GRT gaz, even believes “
that the situation will be less complicated next winter
”.
In September, a new floating LNG terminal, off Le Havre, will come into operation.
It alone will represent half of the annual imports of Russian gas into France that were in place before the start of the conflict in Ukraine.
These imports have completely ceased since August.
In addition, players in the gas sector insist on the rise of biomethane in national consumption.
Currently, it weighs only 2% of consumption, but should reach 10% in 2030, or even well before this deadline.
“
Biogas is the only renewable energy whose deployment is ahead of schedule
,” recalls Thierry oublie.