The heatwave is hitting French electricity production hard. Jellyfish in cooling circuits, waterways too low or overheated: the nuclear power plants have never experienced such a summer.
The situation is historic. With a power shortfall reaching 15,6%, the French nuclear fleet is experiencing unprecedented disruptions this summer. The causes are numerous: jellyfish infestations in the water intakes of coastal plants, river levels too low to ensure reactor cooling, and river temperatures exceeding regulatory thresholds.
To compensate for this production shortfall, gas-fired power plants have been brought back online on a large scale. They now represent between 5% and 6% of the national energy mix, compared to 1% in normal times, meaning a share multiplied by five or six depending on the day.
The heatwave is having a simultaneous effect on both sides of the equation: it reduces production capacity while simultaneously increasing consumption, particularly due to air conditioning. This double whammy puts further strain on the grid.
Despite this context, France continues to export its electricity massively to its European neighbors, thus maintaining its traditional role as a supplier to the continent.
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