‘Risks’ of targeted power outages in January, warns Emmanuel Vargon

December should go smoothly, but next year’s start could be more challenging. This Saturday morning, Energy Regulatory Commission president Emmanuelle Vargon warned of the “risks” of targeted and intermittent power outages in France “in January” if the weather gets too cold and if consumers don’t cut consumption during the warnings. .

“We thought that the risks would begin in November or December, and now we are calmer (…) on the other hand, since there were delays (return to production of some nuclear power plants) in EDF we have a form of anxiety or vigilance for January,” Emmanuelle Vargon told France Info.

“Not much leeway”

In January, EDF should be able to supply 40 gigawatts (GW), or 65% of its installed nuclear capacity, according to forecasts released on Friday by grid operator RTE. However, at this time of the year, there are usually “more than about 50 of us, or even a maximum of about 60 GW. (…) We have little freedom of action,” admitted the former housing minister.

However, there will be no blackout, the manager assured. “A system that jumps around, that’s not going to happen,” she said. “The worst thing that can happen is targeted, drastic cuts that alternate from city to city,” she added. “I am very convinced that the first day of Ecowatt blush (notification device nameeveryone will take it seriously,” she continued.

This Friday, transmission network operator RTE warned that there was a “high” risk of strain on the French electricity grid in January due to a slower-than-expected restart of EDF’s nuclear reactors.