While we are slowly heading towards the end of the winter period, the French are not relaxing their efforts to be sober, according to the latest data from energy network managers.
Last week, electricity consumption was down 9% compared to the average for previous years (2014-2019, that is to say excluding the health crisis), according to RTE's weekly summary.
A figure as always restated for weather and calendar effects, so that comparisons with previous years are as meaningful as possible.
"
The downward effect is generally maintained during this second week of February
", comments the electricity transmission manager.
Over the last four weeks, the fall in consumption is almost equivalent (-8.3%).
Read alsoThe great return of customers to EDF, driven by the rise in electricity prices
As observed by RTE, “
it is now firmly established that it (the downward movement, Ed.) concerns all sectors of activity
”, ie industry as well as the residential and tertiary sectors.
It “
cannot be explained solely, or mainly, by a drop in economic activity in industry
”, adds RTE.
The manager concedes that “
it remains difficult to distinguish in this movement the respective parts of chosen sobriety and economic constraint
”.
Nevertheless, "
successful national mobilization in favor of energy savings plays an important role
", judges the manager.
A drop of almost 13% for gas
Although in mid-January on Franceinfo, the president of RTE Xavier Piechaczyk, had estimated that, on the possibility of targeted cuts, "
most of the risks are behind us
", France is currently entering its last tense period of Winter.
"
Around the second half of February, there are still some risks at that time if we go through a significant and long cold snap
," he said.
As for gas consumption, the downward movement observed this winter is even more significant.
The fall, corrected for the effects of the climate, reached 12.8% over the period from August 1, 2022 to February 12, 2023, compared to the same period 2018-2019 (i.e. before the Covid health crisis), according to GRTgaz .
"
This drop is the result of a significant reduction in the consumption of public distribution and large industrialists connected to the transmission network
", explains the main gas carrier in France.
These amount to -18.6% and -23.8% respectively.
Read alsoGas consumption in France fell by 6.2% in 2022 compared to 2021
The drop in gas consumption would thus look like a real collapse if it were not offset by the increase in gas consumption needed to produce electricity (+20.8%).
This drop “
is partly offset by greater demand on gas-fired power plants to ensure the balance of the electricity system
”, indicates GRTgaz.
