Electricity consumption stable (+1.1%) in France in 2013

According to the French power transmission system operator RTE, electricity consumption rose by 1.1 % in France in 2013, due to a slightly colder year, and reached 495 TWh. Corrected from climate effects, electricity consumption was about 480 TWh, the average over the last few years. In 2013, the consumption of individuals, professionals and SMEs tended to stabilize (+0.3%) after several years of increases. In contrast, the decline in industrial consumption continued (-2.5%), but was less pronounced than in 2012.

Power generation increased by 1.7% in 2013, to 551 TWh. The share of renewable energies (hydro included) continued to increase and represented 20.7% of French consumption in 2013, reaching its highest level since 6 years. Production from renewable energy sources (excluding hydro) increased by 8.1% to over 25 TWh. Nuclear generation fell slightly (-0.3%) but still accounted for 73.3% of total production in 2013.

In the thermal sector, coal-fired generation increased by 14% while oil-fired or gas-fired generation fell almost 20%, in line with the context of market prices of raw materials. Total CO₂ emissions in the sector of the French electricity production remained stable.

The installed capacity in France fell by 800 MW in 2013, following the closure of conventional thermal power plants. This decrease is offset by the development of wind and solar farms, which continue to grow and reached 8,140 MW respectively and 4,300 MW of installed capacity.

France remains the largest electricity exporter in Europe in 2013, amounting to 47.2 TWh, up 6.8% compared to 2012. The country is a net exporter to all neighboring countries, with the exception of Germany (net imports of 9.8 TWh, from 8.7 TWh in 2012).