France is about to break the record in this field – Le Nouvel Tribune

As new technologies are revolutionizing our daily lives, their voracious appetite for electricity raises critical questions about our ability to meet this growing demand. From energy-intensive data centers to booming electric vehicles to computationally intensive artificial intelligence, our digital society is consuming more and more electrons. Yet, to everyone’s surprise, France It seems to have found the magic formula to not only meet its own needs but also provide kilowatt-hours of electricity to its European neighbors. This masterpiece may well push France’s electricity exports to new heights.

An unexpected electrical renaissance

After a pessimistic 2022 France After finding itself in the rare position of being a net importer of electricity, the country has made a remarkable turnaround. By 2023, France had reclaimed its position as Europe’s leading electricity exporter, a position it has since consolidated. In the first half of 2024, France broke its own record, exporting 42 TWh. (Terawatt-hour) To put that number in perspective, imagine the equivalent annual consumption of a metropolitan area like Lyonavailable to our neighbors free of charge in just six months.

This extraordinary performance is explained by an almost perfect alignment of energetic stars. On the one hand, French consumption continues to fall, the result of collective awareness and efforts at energy efficiency. On the other hand, national production has regained the colors of its best days. Nuclear power plants are functioning again after overcoming technical obstacles. As for the hydroelectric dams, they benefited from particularly mild weather, transforming every drop of rainwater into precious kilowatt-hours.

Rediscovering European influence

France’s electricity surplus has not gone unnoticed by our European neighbours. U.K.In particular, it absorbed no less than 11 TWh of electricity, accounting for the largest share. France. Italy, Germany and Switzerland This dynamic has put France far ahead of its European rivals in electricity exports, relegating Sweden to the bottom. Netherlands and Norway Ranked second in knife position.

Transmission network manager RTE has made no secret of its optimism and has already predicted that France’s previous record of 77 TWh exported in 2002 will be broken by 2024. Such a feat would underline the resilience and adaptability of the French energy model in the face of contemporary challenges.

Inspiring perspectives

The renaissance of France’s electricity sector opens up fascinating prospects. While many European countries struggle to reconcile energy transition and security of supply, France seems to have found an enviable balance. This situation could enhance France’s diplomatic and economic influence on the European stage, especially in discussions about the continent’s energy future.

However, it would be unwise to rest on these electricity laurels. The challenges of decarbonization and adapting to new technologies remain. France must continue to strive for innovation and efficiency to maintain its advantage while preparing for the future. Because if electricity today is synonymous with excess, tomorrow’s needs, driven by the digital revolution and the ecological transition, could quickly reverse that trend.

France’s feat in electricity exports illustrates an often overlooked reality: in the energy sector, things can turn around quickly. Having gone from a record importer to an exporter in the space of two years, the country is demonstrating its ability to bounce back and adapt. This is a valuable asset at a time when flexibility and resilience are key words in the global energy transition.