Column: Europe needs France to get nuclear act together in 2023: Maguire |
LITTLETON, Colo., Feb 1 (Reuters) – A sharp drop in France’s nuclear power output in 2022, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine rattled energy markets across the continent. France forced utilities to convert from net energy exporters to importers, exacerbating Europe’s energy crisis.
A combination of unplanned reactor coolant shortages and planned maintenance shutdowns forced French nuclear power operators to cut electricity generation by 23% in 2022 from the previous year, data from think tank Ember showed.
France historically using nuclear power for over 70% of total electricity, this shortfall in reactor production has forced French utilities to drastically adjust their energy fuel mix by increasing imports and use of natural gas by about 30%.
France Electricity production for 2015-2022
In turn, France’s higher gas regional natural consumption gas cornered their markets at the worst possible time, just like any other major Europe gas consumers are restricted in light of the results of Moscow’s so-called special operation in Ukraine Russia they sought alternatives to pipeline supplies.
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Going forward, a continued recovery in France’s nuclear output will help reduce France’s appetite for power and gas imports, potentially providing excess power to utilities that are still struggling with tight and expensive energy markets. Europe will help to export to their countries.
ROLE REVERSAL
According to Ember and energy technology firm EnAppSys, France’s average annual energy exports from 2019 to 2021 were about 54 Terawatt hours (TWh), or the total electricity production of Greece in 2021.
However, in 2022, France cut its energy exports to below 8 TWh and energy imports to a record high of 26.84 TWh, EnAppSys data show, due to reduced nuclear output as well as reduced hydropower production due to drought conditions.
France changed from a net energy exporter to a net importer in 2022
According to EnAppSys data, this shift in France’s energy flow has not only squeezed Europe’s energy markets, but also hit France’s trade balance hard: in 2022, electricity imports will cost approx. 10 billion The euro value exceeded France’s total revenue from electricity exports in the previous three years. .
POWER IS GIVEN
As early as 2023, France’s nuclear power generation will be 2020 and remains 17.5% below the average in 2021, Refinitiv data showed in part due to planned union workers pension shows due to strikes against the reforms.
However, the utility has previously stated that nuclear output is expected to increase once the repairs are completed, although much-needed repairs and upgrades continue. sick the system may struggle to reach the previous annual production level of 400 TWh.
Even if average output remains below the previous target, any sustained increase in nuclear generation from 2022 will affect domestic electricity prices as well as France’s overall energy import needs.
For example, in December, some previously restricted reactors resumed operation, which national increased nuclear output by 40% from the previous eight-month average, Refinitiv data shows.
January average production in 2018 was still higher, and even if production rates for the rest of the year only matched the average of the past three years – including the record low of 2022 – the year-end total would still be about 14% above 2022. common.
In turn, since most of France’s electricity comes from nuclear plants, potentially higher total nuclear generation could help utilities offset production from other sources, such as natural gas, and free up those fuels for other users.
Achieving higher nuclear output in 2023 would also help France restore its status as a net exporter of energy, with the ability to offset record high market tariffs from 2022 onwards, which could help the country recover some of its costs from 2022 onwards, reducing pressure on other energy consumers. can do.
So, after a tumultuous 2022 that saw energy markets disrupted by Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Europe’s energy consumers could turn to France in 2023 to get the country’s nuclear shop in order and free up excess energy for other users in the coming months. free help to do. .
France’s seasonal nuclear power generation by Gavin Maguire; Edited by Christian Schmollinger
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The opinions expressed are those of the author. They are Confidence It does not reflect the views of Reuters News, which is committed to its principles of integrity, independence and freedom from bias. Gavin Maguire
2023-02-01 12:53:22
Source – reuters
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