So far everything is going well. Thus, we could summarize the RTE prospects for the electricity system in the period between mid-October and mid-November, which corresponds to the beginning of the surveillance period. Started in September, these analyzes are now updated every month by the electricity transmission network administrator.
Electricity consumption has already dropped
Several elements allow the technician to show his optimism. In the first place, the structural electricity consumption, that is to say with the correction of the fluctuations of time, is downward. A change that is naturally explained by the rise in energy prices and that is logically driven by manufacturers, who are highly exposed to this price rise. Furthermore, the gradual rollout of the sobriety plan should accentuate this trend in the coming weeks.
As indicated every week by BFM Business in its energy dashboard, gas reserves have already reached their technical maximum while hydraulic reserves are close to their usual levels at this time of year “due to prudent management by the operators”. “It is a positive factor that allows us to face winter more calmly”, continues RTE. Especially since it is unlikely that there will be strong periods of cold before All Saints’ Day.
Strikes at EDF are a major gray area
However, the operator of the electric transport system conditions the effective fulfillment of these forecasts to a size factor that has recently appeared in the French energy panorama. As has been mentioned for several weeks, in particular by members of the executive, EDF is engaged in a race against time to restart as many of its nuclear reactors, a large part of which are idled due to maintenance work or against the corrosion. . Currently, 25 of the 56 structures managed by the energy company are not working.
The problem is that since last week, a social movement has been taking over EDF’s nuclear power plants and half of them were affected by the end of last weekend. As it stands, these strikes do not yet present a significant risk in terms of winter power supply, but the horizon could darken if the movement continues.
“This situation does not question, to date, the central trajectory presented by RTE for the months of December and January. However, it supposes a real mortgage on the availability of the park during the month of November”.
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Source: BFM TV
