There is no longer any question of load shedding or cuts, at least not because of a lack of electricity production.
Questioned on France Info, this Wednesday morning, Xavier Piechaczyk, the president of RTE was optimistic.
"
Most of the risks are behind us
," he said.
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The French and businesses have reduced their electricity consumption by 8.5% since the start of winter and by 7.5% this past week.
"
Good and bad news
" for the boss of RTE.
Good news, because sobriety has borne fruit and bad news because it reflects a decline in industrial production.
Read alsoAre we going to run out of gas and electricity?
Follow the evolution of the energy situation in France on a daily basis
At the beginning of winter, nuclear reactors were scarcely available, 30 out of 56 were shut down.
Today only 13 are still shut down and by the end of the month 4 additional reactors will be restarted.
Added to this was the good performance of renewable energies: hydroelectricity and wind power.
Risks the second week of February
However, there are still risks for the second half of February.
Indeed, during this period, EDF will resume its maintenance program for nuclear reactors.
New ones will therefore be shut down, at a time when temperatures can potentially be very low.
A strong cold spell would therefore pose a new risk to the French electricity network.
However, there is no question of postponing these maintenance operations.
“
We have to prepare for winter 2023/2024
,” explained Xavier Piechaczyk, adding that EDF “
has made its best efforts
”.
A way to cut short the controversy over the way the energy company has managed its nuclear fleet.
Read alsoNuclear: the government finally decides to speed up
However, prices for consumers should not change, due to the price shield which has protected them from the increase.
However, “
the market is shrinking
”, with a spot price going from 1000 euros at the height of winter to around 100 euros.
A “
return to the rational
” according to Xavier Piechaczyk, who calls for “
a redesign of the European market, to disconnect the prices of electricity from those of gas
”.
There is also the risk of targeted cuts brandished by the CGT as part of the mobilization against the reform of the pension system.
"
It's not good war, it's illegal
," says Xavier Piechaczyk, who said against his actions "
personally
".
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