Power cuts: France almost “out of the woods

According to the president of RTE, France is almost safe from power cuts this winter. However, there is no such thing as zero risk. The French have managed to reduce their electricity consumption, thus avoiding a more critical situation. The Minister of Energy Transition recalls that investments in renewable energy are planned for the coming years.

Share:

The risk of power outages this winter in France is on the way to being controlled, according to the president of the network manager RTE, Xavier Piechaczyk. While the winter of 2021-2022 has been particularly challenging, marked by a significant drop in power generation, the official said the situation is improving.

 

Risks still present

Although he described the current situation as “almost” safe, Xavier Piechaczyk recalled that there is no such thing as zero risk. Indeed, a major cold snap at the end of winter could still disrupt electricity production. Nevertheless, he emphasized that most of the risks are now behind us. In particular, he indicated that if consumption had not been so greatly reduced by the French, the winter could have been much more difficult.

 

Electricity production at half-mast

The difficulties of the winter of 2021-2022 can be explained in particular by a very low electricity production in France. According to a report published by RTE, the country produced very little electricity, the lowest since 1992. This decline is explained in particular by the international gas crisis, which followed the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as by extremely low hydro and nuclear production.

EDF plans to gradually restore the capacity of its nuclear fleet, but this will take time. The president of RTE has indicated that the availability of nuclear power will only be restored gradually by 2025. Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister of Energy Transition, has indicated that electricity production trajectories will increase significantly in the coming years, thanks in particular to renewable energies.

 

Accelerating the energy transition

To meet electricity needs, it is crucial to accelerate the energy transition. Mr. Piechaczyk called for the current pace to be maintained and even accelerated, particularly by developing onshore renewable energy and offshore wind farms. He also stressed the importance of maintaining energy sobriety on the part of consumers.

 

State support

In response to EDF’s difficulties, the State, which is its largest shareholder, has promised to support the company. According to Agnès Pannier-Runacher, EDF must be the armed wing of the country’s energy policy. Despite a record net loss of 17.9 billion in 2022, the company remains a key element of the French energy landscape.

The Canadian government announces an investment of more than $40mn to fund 13 energy projects led by Indigenous communities across the country, aiming to improve energy efficiency and increase local renewable energy use.
The German Ministry of Economy plans to significantly expand aid aimed at reducing industrial electricity costs, increasing eligible companies from 350 to 2,200, at an estimated cost of €4bn ($4.7bn).
A major electricity blackout paralyzed large parts of the Czech Republic, interrupting transport and essential networks, raising immediate economic concerns, and highlighting the vulnerability of energy infrastructures to unforeseen technical incidents.
French greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2025, indicating a global slowdown in reductions forecast for the full year, according to Citepa, an independent organisation responsible for national monitoring.
The Republican budget bill passed by the U.S. Senate accelerates the phase-out of tax credits for renewable energies, favoring fossil fuels and raising economic concerns among solar and wind industry professionals.
Rapid growth in solar and wind capacities will lead to a significant rise in electricity curtailment in Brazil, as existing transmission infrastructure remains inadequate to handle this massive influx of energy, according to a recent study by consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.
The US Senate Finance Committee modifies the '45Z' tax credit to standardize the tax treatment of renewable fuels, thereby encouraging advanced biofuel production starting October 2025.
According to the 2025 report on global energy access, despite notable progress in renewable energy, insufficient targeted financing continues to hinder electricity and clean cooking access, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
While advanced economies maintain global energy leadership, China and the United States have significantly progressed in the security and sustainability of their energy systems, according to the World Economic Forum's annual report.
On the sidelines of the US–Africa summit in Luanda, Algiers and Luanda consolidate their energy collaboration to better exploit their oil, gas, and mining potential, targeting a common strategy in regional and international markets.
The UK's Climate Change Committee is urging the government to quickly reduce electricity costs to facilitate the adoption of heat pumps and electric vehicles, judged too slow to achieve the set climate targets.
The European Commission will extend until the end of 2030 an expanded state-aid framework, allowing capitals to fund low-carbon technologies and nuclear power to preserve competitiveness against China and the United States.
Japan's grid operator forecasts an energy shortfall of up to 89 GW by 2050 due to rising demand from semiconductor manufacturing, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence technologies.
Energy-intensive European industries will be eligible for temporary state aid to mitigate high electricity prices, according to a new regulatory framework proposed by the European Commission under the "Clean Industrial Deal."
Mauritius seeks international investors to swiftly build a floating power plant of around 100 MW, aiming to secure the national energy supply by January 2026 and address current production shortfalls.
Madrid announces immediate energy storage measures while Lisbon secures its electrical grid, responding to the historic outage that affected the entire Iberian Peninsula in late April.
Indonesia has unveiled its new national energy plan, projecting an increase of 69.5 GW in electricity capacity over ten years, largely funded by independent producers, to address rapidly rising domestic demand.
French Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher condemns the parliamentary moratorium on new renewable energy installations, warning of the potential loss of 150,000 industrial jobs and increased energy dependence on foreign countries.
The European battery regulation, fully effective from August 18, significantly alters industrial requirements related to electric cars and bicycles, imposing strict rules on recycling, supply chains, and transparency for companies.
The European Parliament calls on the Commission to strengthen energy infrastructure and accelerate the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal to enhance the continent's energy flexibility and security amid increased market volatility.