Will there be electricity at Christmas? Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne will unveil this Wednesday the possible scenarios for dealing with the peaks in energy consumption this winter but also the bills which are soaring, at a time when France is facing its worst energy crisis since the 1970s.
Elisabeth Borne will discuss the country’s energy supply scenarios, in the wake of the forecasts presented the same day by the operators of the electricity and gas transmission networks (RTE and GRTgaz), as well as the future of the tariff shield which protects the French from price increases until December 31.
A “contained” increase
The Prime Minister will hold a press conference at 3:30 p.m., surrounded by the Ministers of the Economy Bruno Le Maire and of the Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher. The government, which is preparing its draft budget for 2023, has promised that the rise in gas and electricity prices will remain “contained” after the expiry of this shield.
In 2022, the increase in electricity prices for individuals had been blocked by the government at 4%, and gas prices frozen at October 2021 levels. With the energy crisis, wholesale electricity prices in Europe have exploded, sometimes exceeding 1,000 euros per megawatt/hour against less than 50 euros before the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February, to the point that the European Union is now seriously considering market reform.
“France will not be plunged into darkness”
On the interconnected European market, the price of electricity is adjusted to the cost price of the last source of energy mobilized to meet demand, often a gas-fired power plant. However, the price of gas has soared, in the wake of the war in Ukraine and the drying up of flows by Russia, dragging with it that of electricity.
In France, this crisis is accentuated by a drop in its nuclear electricity production, at its lowest due to the shutdown of half of its reactors (28 out of 56), in work for maintenance or corrosion. Added to this is the collapse of hydraulic production, which suffered from the summer drought. What to fear shortages? “No, France will not be plunged into darkness”, evacuates an industrial source contacted by AFP.
No “blackout” expected
At 10 a.m., RTE will unfold its vision of France’s energy security for the passage of winter 2022/2023, and in particular the crucial period from October to March, according to several scenarios, from the most optimistic to the most pessimistic. . Will be discussed all voluntary savings efforts and eco-gestures that may be required of individuals, communities and businesses to prevent the system from overheating. For example, by lowering consumption at key times, such as in the morning and at the end of the day, to reduce consumption “peaks”. The gas transmission network operator GRTGaz will present its winter gas supply forecast scenario at the start of the afternoon.
After having called on companies at the end of August to act to avoid “rationing”, at the dawn of autumn, the authorities are hammering home a message that is intended to be a little more reassuring about the network’s ability to withstand peaks in demand and episodes of cold this winter, provided that everyone makes an effort to “sobriety”. “There is no risk of a blackout, that is to say of the occurrence of an episode which would cause the entire energy system to collapse”, assured the Minister for Energy Transition Agnès Pannier. -Runacher, Tuesday before the Economic Affairs Committee of the National Assembly.
“We have a series of levers” and as a “last resort”, “a continuity plan is prepared in the event of insufficient electricity supply, with measures such as load shedding”, developed the minister. These power cuts, targeted and organized in advance, are part of a panoply of measures intended to avoid blackouts, ie generalized and uncontrolled blackouts.
The EU facing the emergency
The global energy crisis has added to an already tense situation for the electricity network in France. Security of supply had been placed under “vigilance” last year for the winters of 2021-2024, due in particular to the delay in connecting the new generation EPR in Flamanville and in the development of renewable energies.
For her part, the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is also presenting emergency measures this Wednesday during her “state of the EU speech”, an exercise inspired by American policy.
This annual political speech in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg will have as guest of honor the Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, announced Tuesday evening on Twitter the head of the European executive. “The courage of the Ukrainian people has touched and inspired the world,” added Ursula von der Leyen. The leader should, during this speech, unfold her proposals to stem the surge in energy prices following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, at a time when galloping inflation threatens the economy of the continent.