'No risk of power cuts this summer'
Electricity network operator says French national grid can cope with demand and last year's shortages should be avoided
HOUSEHOLDS in France will not be hit by any enforced power cuts this summer, electricity network operator RTE has claimed.
The company says the national grid has enough capacity to cope with demand unless a heatwave brings temperatures more than 8°C above the seasonal average.
RTE is looking to avoid a repeat of last year's electricity shortage, when it had to import thousands of megawatts of energy a day from other countries.
The problem arose because strikes delayed vital maintenance work on a quarter of France's 58 nuclear reactors - reducing the network's capacity.
Although summer is traditionally a period of reduced energy use, RTE had to impose temporary blackouts in some regions as demand grew from households and businesses using air conditioning.
If temperatures are exceptionally high this summer, the French network will need to import about 4,000 megawatts a day - compared with an average of 8,000 last year.
The number of power cuts has risen by 50% in a decade, according to a recent report by France's Energy Regulation Commission.
Paris had the fewest - on average 20 minutes a year - while the Lozère recorded an average of 35 hours of blackouts a year.
Energy supplier EDF says it is increasing its investment in the network and reducing disparities between regions is a priority.
Related stories:
Electricity costs based on demand?
Blackout warning for Brittany
Winter power cuts could be imposed
Photo:L_Avi
