In recent weeks, France has restarted its coal-fired power stations.

The growing electricity needs of the French, combined with the temporary shutdown of certain nuclear power plants and wind farms, have forced the network manager to resort to this much disparaged source of energy.

ANALYSIS

This is a very unusual occurrence at this time of year.

France had to relight its coal-fired power stations to meet its electricity needs, according to information from the daily

Les Echos

.

There are four power plants in the country, which are generally used in winter as back-up power.

But for lack of sufficient nuclear and wind power generation, coal provided 2% of our electricity on Thursday, September 17th.

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According to the electricity transmission network operator (RTE), this restart is the result of a combination of circumstances.

The sudden rise in temperatures led to a slight peak in consumption, mainly because of the air conditioners out of the closet.

At the same time, the Covid-19 epidemic has caused delays in the maintenance operations of certain nuclear power plants.

As a result, currently, 24 of the 56 French reactors are shut down.

A temporary situation

When nuclear sticks its tongue out, RTE turns to other sources of energy.

Usually, renewable energies, cheaper, must compensate for this loss.

But the vagaries of the weather and a trailing high pressure system over northern Europe mean that wind turbines are producing less energy at the moment.

In this context, coal-fired power stations are RTE's last resort.

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The situation is not set to last: according to data published by the high-voltage network manager, the share of coal in the energy mix is ​​already falling.

On the other hand, with the continuing health crisis, there is a good chance that coal-fired power stations will be mobilized again this winter.

On Friday, RTE announced in a press release that France's electricity supply security for this winter continued to be the subject of "particular vigilance", citing the "high probability of tense situations on the balance between supply and demand for electricity ".

The season will be marked in particular by "a probability of high tension at the end of November-beginning of December in the event of early cold".