French energy watchdog confident no blackouts before mid-January

The head of France's CRE energy watchdog says there is no risk to power supplies in France until at least mid-January 2023. 

French consumers and companies have heeded warnings to reduce energy consumption and it now looks likely fears of blackouts in early January will be avoided. © Siphiwe Sibeko / Reuters

While it is necessary to remain vigilant in case of a drop in temperatures, the fact that French households and businesses have heeded calls to cut their energy consumption is a big help, CRE head Emmanuelle Wargon told France Inter radio on Wednesday.

The government has set a target of cutting France's energy consumption by 10 percent by 2024 from 2019 levels, as part of a wide ranging plan that includes turning off lights and lowering thermostats to avoid power and gas cuts over the winter amid the war in Ukraine.

According to French grid operator RTE, electricity consumption dropped by 8.7 percent over the past four weeks compared to an average of the same period in 2014-2019.

“The call for restraint has really been heard,” Wargon said.

“We remain attentive and vigilant” in case temperatures drop, she said, adding that “until mid-January, we know we won’t have problems”.

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Wargon also said that France’s nuclear fleet, currently hit by maintenance and repair works, is expected to reach a production capacity of 45 gigawatts (GW) in January.

She did not rule out that it could go as far as EDF’s projection of nearly 50 GW.

(with Reuters)