SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

French Nuclear Slowdown: Impacts and Forecasts

French nuclear power is off to a slower start than expected, impacting energy production and exports.

Share:

énergie nucléaire Français

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

French nuclear generation got off to a slower-than-expected start in November. With an average of 38 GW, although up 8 GW on the previous year, it remains 5 GW below forecasts. This situation is the result of several technical contingencies affecting EDF’s fleet of 56 reactors. Despite this, nuclear generation peaked on November 30 at 43.6 GW, the highest in nine months, coinciding with an increase in demand during the cold snap.

Analyst analysis and forecasts

Analysts at S&P Global Commodity Insights revised their December forecast downwards, from 46.2 GW to 43.9 GW. This revision reflects an estimated total French nuclear output of 320 TWh for 2023, an increase of almost 15% on last year’s 30-year low. This dynamic is notably influenced by the increase in daily load factors at the end of November.

Climate Impact and Reactor Availability

RTE’s peak demand forecast is around 75 GW for December 4, with a downward trend towards 68 GW as temperatures warm up. Four reactors are scheduled to restart by December 6, with a further four planned before the Christmas vacations. However, some reactors, such as Nogent-2 and Golfech-1, experienced restart delays, affecting overall availability. Reactor availability remains a major challenge for the stability of the French energy grid.

Record exports and market dynamics

Despite these challenges, France’s net electricity exports reached their highest level for a month of November since 2015, thanks in particular to exceptionally wet and windy weather conditions. The UK was the main beneficiary of these exports, followed by Belgium and Germany. However, December flows are highly dependent on hourly demand and supply fundamentals. Interconnections with Italy and Great Britain were disrupted, affecting cross-border trade.

The current dynamics of the nuclear power market in France underline the importance of external factors such as weather conditions and technical contingencies. With continuous adjustments in forecasts and production, the French nuclear industry navigates a complex environment, where flexibility and adaptation are essential to meet the changing energy needs of the country and its European partners.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
TotalEnergies confirms imminent investment decision for new LNG train in Texas
US crude oil stocks rise by 3.9 million barrels
Germany urges European Union for more flexibility on 2035 combustion car ban
EQT signs 20-year deal for 1 Mtpa LNG with Commonwealth LNG
AquaVentus and Hydrogen Scotland partner on North Sea hydrogen production corridor
London and Washington commit to accelerating bilateral nuclear projects
A strategic partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States aims to shorten nuclear licensing timelines and strengthen industrial cooperation around fusion and modular reactors.
IAEA revises nuclear growth forecasts upward through 2050
The International Atomic Energy Agency projects global nuclear capacity to reach 992 GW by 2050, driven by small modular reactors and lifetime extensions of existing plants.
Premier American Uranium targets merger completion with Nuclear Fuels by September 19
Premier American Uranium and Nuclear Fuels have announced a target date of around September 19 to finalise their strategic consolidation, pending final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.
Nuclear energy retained in the European Union green taxonomy
The General Court of the European Union has rejected Austria’s appeal against the inclusion of gas and nuclear energy in the classification of sustainable investments.
Kazakhstan entrusts German Nukem with oversight of its nuclear back-end
Kazakhstan has signed an agreement with Nukem Technologies Engineering Services GmbH to benefit from German expertise in nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management.
European court annuls EU approval of state aid for Hungary’s Paks II nuclear project
The European Court of Justice annulled the European Commission's authorisation of Hungarian state aid for the Paks II nuclear project, questioning compliance with EU public procurement rules.
A CNY4.2bn contract awarded for China’s Xuwei nuclear project
A Chinese consortium has secured a CNY4.2bn ($594mn) contract for the construction of conventional islands for the Xuwei nuclear project, combining third and fourth generation reactors.
Rosatom and CNNC formalise cooperation agreement on nuclear training
Rosatom and China National Nuclear Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in talent development and skills training in the nuclear sector.
Iran and IAEA sign technical agreement to restart nuclear inspections
Iran has reached a new agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to formalise the resumption of inspections, following months of suspension linked to military tensions and criticism of its nuclear programme.
France positions itself on small modular reactors with eleven key recommendations
The French Energy Regulatory Commission outlines a structured plan to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors, focusing on industrial heat and series effects to enhance competitiveness.
Nuclearn raises $10.5mn to expand automation in nuclear power plants
US-based Nuclearn has secured $10.5mn to scale its artificial intelligence platform, already deployed in over 65 nuclear reactors, to automate critical operations amid rising energy demand.
The inner dome of Haiyang 4 reactor successfully installed in China
The steel dome of the CAP1000 Haiyang 4 reactor has been positioned, a major construction milestone paving the way for upcoming maintenance and technical installation phases.
French and Belgian nuclear industry groups sign strategic cooperation agreement
The Groupement des Industriels Français de l'Énergie Nucléaire and the Belgian Nuclear Forum formalise a partnership aimed at strengthening industrial exchanges and joint projects between the two countries’ nuclear sectors.
IAEA urges Iran to resume nuclear inspections as time runs out
The International Atomic Energy Agency warns that little time remains to reach an agreement with Iran on fully resuming inspections, as European sanctions could be reimposed within 30 days.
Westinghouse and EDF reactors deemed viable for Slovenia’s JEK2 nuclear project
Slovenia’s JEK2 project moves forward with two nuclear technologies judged technically compatible, estimated between EUR9.31bn ($10.1bn) and EUR15.37bn ($16.66bn).
Oklo invests $1.7bn in nuclear recycling plant in Tennessee
US-based Oklo will build the country’s first privately funded nuclear fuel recycling centre in Oak Ridge, investing $1.7bn and creating over 800 jobs.
TVA and ENTRA1 seal historic agreement for 6 GW of SMR reactors in the United States
The Tennessee Valley Authority partners with ENTRA1 Energy to develop up to 6 gigawatts of modular nuclear capacity, in an unprecedented project supporting energy growth across seven U.S. states.
IAEA: Iran held 440.9 kg at 60% before Israeli strikes
A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency puts Iran’s 60% enriched uranium at 440.9 kg before Israeli and U.S. strikes, while the agency’s access to enrichment sites has remained suspended since the operations.
Westinghouse strengthens UK supply chain for nuclear reactors
US-based Westinghouse has signed six industrial agreements in the UK to supply critical components for its AP1000 and AP300 nuclear projects in Britain and abroad.
NANO Nuclear secures $1.25mn contract for KRONOS MMR microreactor
NANO Nuclear Energy receives direct funding from the US Air Force innovation branch to assess the integration of its KRONOS MMR™ microreactor at the Washington D.C. military base.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.