This is certainly a precautionary measure. While electricity transmission network operator RTE assesses a low risk to security of supply this winter, managing the balance between supply and demand on the network remains a concern. A decree published two months ago has just come into force that allows the distributor Enedis to cut off the automatic switching on of the hot water tanks during the midday off-peak hours, that is, between noon and two o’clock.
This measure, which aims to anticipate possible shortages, the risk of which remains limited during the next winter period, is therefore aimed at customers who have subscribed to a peak hour offer and plans to limit the heating of tanks to the night time slot. . More than four million customers have subscribed to the midday off-peak time subscription, while the night off-peak time subscription (from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) affects 11 million. The managers of the public electricity distribution networks must extend the system at least until March 9, or even until April 1, as specified in article 2 of the decree.
A precedent last year
Last year, a measure had already been applied to delay the automatic start-up of hot water tanks to reduce energy consumption peaks when the electricity grid is overloaded. Consumers with a peak season subscription showed concern. For this reason, the distributor Enedis wanted to reassure them by explaining in a press release published a month ago that the system “will have no effect on the customer’s comfort or on their bill.”
In addition, the hot water tanks now have a capacity of around 300 liters and a simple charge overnight can cover the needs of an entire family for the next day.
Source: BFM TV
