Renewable energies covered more than a quarter of electricity consumption in France in 2020.
A historic record linked to the increase in the volumes of electricity produced by wind turbines and solar panels, as well as to the drop in consumption linked to the health crisis.
This is a historically high rate.
In 2020, renewable energies covered more than a quarter of electricity consumption in France - exactly 26.9% - or four points more than in 2019. A level never reached so far, which can be explained by a combination of factors linked to the increase in green energy production ... and the health crisis.
Slowdown in economic activity
The volumes of electricity produced by wind turbines, solar panels and hydroelectric dams have indeed increased significantly.
These infrastructures produced 121 tetrawatt hours (TWh) in 2020, a record achieved largely thanks to the increase in installed power in wind and solar farms.
Added to each other, they now total a production capacity greater than that of hydroelectric dams.
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But if the share of renewable energies has never been so high in electricity consumption, it is also because this consumption fell sharply in 2020, falling by 7% compared to the previous year.
A drop directly linked to the slowdown in economic activity during the pandemic.
Restaurants and shops closed, factories operating in minor mode, subways, trams and TGVs running at idle speed… As many megawatt hours (MWh) that have not been used.