In 2021, the electricity capacity of the French fleet of natural gas-fired power plants is 6.7 GWe. The commissioning of the Landivisiau power station brings the power output of French natural gas plants to 7.2GWe.

 

The electricity market situation is unprecedented since the third quarter of 2021. There are very high levels of volatility and prices in wholesale markets.

The rise in gas prices that persists in 2022 as a result of the war in Ukraine, combined with the shutdown of several nuclear reactors since December 2021, explains EDF’s downward revisions to its nuclear production estimates for the years 2022 and 2023, and increased operation of natural gas-fired power plants.

 

However, 2021 was marked by a decrease in production from 2020 to 32 TWh but 2022 should be marked by a significant increase in production from 2021. Indeed, natural gas-fired power plants have partially offset a decrease in nuclear production due to maintenance schedules and compliance with environmental constraints during this period of high temperature and drought.

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