France saves the blackout with interconnections and cutting off the light to its great industry

 save the blackout with interconnections

France has managed to avoid the blackout thanks to the interconnections and the reduction of 800 MW in its electricity consumption to be able to face the tension in the electricity supply announced by its system operator, RTE, this weekend.

The orange alert allowed both companies and individuals to reduce their energy consumption at some of the key times, such as the period between 8 and 9 a.m. today.

RTE forecast a consumption peak of around 73,000 MW around 9:00 a.m., which was finally reached at 8:45 a.m., but with just 71,600 MW. This difference is explained by the reduction in consumption by individuals, companies and local authorities, which have postponed the use of their machines, have lowered the brightness of shops or illuminated signs, according to the system operator.

All these gestures have made it possible to reduce 800 MW, that is, the equivalent of twice the consumption of the city of Montpellier and almost the power of a nuclear reactor.

The rest of the power has been achieved thanks to the activation of the interruptibility system that France has. Thanks to the mobilization of agents in the sector, the entire French generation (about 63,600 MW) was activated to satisfy consumption. It was complemented by the import of electricity from neighboring countries, which is equivalent to 8,000 MW.

With the rise in temperatures starting this Monday afternoon, electricity consumption should decrease. RTE does not foresee a new Ecowatt signal for the next few days.

Tomorrow, the average price of electricity in the Iberian wholesale market will be 5.22% higher than what has been reached and will be paid at 265.02 euros/MWh.

The average price will be 6.81% more expensive than a week ago and will have increased by 16.08% since before the current cold wave, when it was around 225 euros/MWh, according to data from OMIE.

In addition, the price will mark its highest figure since March 11, when the registered average was 284.58 euros/MWh, days after having broken several consecutive historical highs due to the impact of the invasion of Ukraine by part of Russia.

Tomorrow will be the fourth day in a row with an increase in the price of electricity, which has not yet fallen back on any day of the month of April