• Between the war in Ukraine, the unavailability of the French nuclear fleet and the delay of France in terms of renewable energy, “risks of tension” risk affecting the French electricity network.

  • The government is linking measures with a tariff shield and a campaign to call for energy sobriety.

  • A decree appeared in the Official Journal, evoking possible power cuts operated remotely on users' hot water tanks.

    But what is it?

    20 Minutes

    takes stock for you.

In the midst of an energy crisis, long hot showers are likely to become rare.

Especially on the lunch break.

A decree of September 22, published in the Official Journal five days later, authorizes electricity suppliers to temporarily deactivate their users' hot water tanks.

But who does this concern?

In what conditions ?

20 minutes

looks back on this news that went almost unnoticed.

Who will be affected?

According to Enedis, the EDF subsidiary in charge of the distribution of electrical energy, 4.3 million French people could be affected by these cuts.

EDF, Engie, TotalEnergies… Regardless of the suppliers, individuals, companies and local authorities are concerned.

To see your cumulus paused remotely, however, you must have a Linky meter (35 million people in France) and an “off-peak/peak hours” subscription which includes the midday slot.

This subscription allows you to benefit from advantageous rates at the least tense hours.

These cuts can be controlled remotely between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and cannot exceed two hours.

In principle, it is likely that the deactivation of the hot water tanks will occur between 12 and 14 hours.

The water will then be heated at night, traditionally off-peak hours.

Enedis will be able to carry out these maneuvers remotely from October 15 to April 15, 2023 while the government is increasing calls for sobriety.

How it will go ?

The decree specifies this: energy suppliers must notify users at least one week in advance.

If you are concerned, you will therefore receive a message from your supplier beforehand.

Whatever happens, these cuts will, in principle, be painless.

Indeed, the cumulus heat the water during off-peak hours then keep it at temperature, ready to be consumed "thanks to the Linky meter", specifies Enedis.

To avoid consumption peaks at noon and a possible imbalance in demand in ⚡️ this winter, at the request of the authorities and thanks to the Linky meter, hot water tanks will automatically heat up at night, in off-peak hours.

(3/6)

— Enedis (@enedis) October 4, 2022

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Traditionally, a peak in consumption - however much lower than that of the early evening - occurs at midday.

These voluntary interruptions will therefore make it possible to avoid untimely power cuts while France is facing the risk of shortages and cuts against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.

This measure would save the equivalent of 3.5 GW, according to the Electricity Transmission Network (RTE).

Why is this measure implemented?

France, like the rest of Europe, has been facing an explosion in energy prices for several months.

The war in Ukraine and the scarcity of Russian gas deliveries, France's delay in renewable energies and the shutdown of a large part of the national nuclear fleet have caused an unprecedented energy crisis.

RTE has repeatedly warned of “risks of tension” on the network, not excluding cuts unless it saves energy.

These programmed outages, which will only affect cumulus clouds, would make it possible to save energy and avoid a breakdown while remaining painless for consumers.

One measure among an anthology of other proposals to spend the winter warm.

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