The prospect of power cuts this winter is now becoming a little less likely, with a risk factor lowered to the “medium” level on December 20 by the RTE.
This new estimate, which concerns the next four weeks only, follows the emergence of several favorable factors allowing ” reduce the risk of emitting the red Ecowatt signal “. This indicator was designed to warn users of possible targeted cuts, underlines France info.
Energy savings pay off
” France enters the heart of winter in a more favorable situation than at the beginning of autumnand better prepared to deal with stressful situations “Explains the manager of the French electricity network quoted by AFP.
This is partly due to the energy savings achieved over the past four weeks, with a 9% drop in consumption. now firmly established », Reports France info. However, other factors come into play. Among them, the restarting of several nuclear power plants, up to now under maintenance, but also better than expected performance of hydropower plants (thanks to generous winter rains after a very dry summer). Mild temperatures in October and November also helped keep gas stocks longer, it says.
The risk of cuts remains present
” Subject to the maintenance of energy saving efforts “, RTE therefore foresees much lower risks of power cuts this winter, even if the month of January and its temperatures will remain decisive.
” In case of very bad weather conditions over the next few weeks, the manager does not rule out an upward revision of the alert level. The risk of cuts is not totally eliminated either… and efforts are therefore still required.
Source : France info
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