French power demand picks up

Power demand in France rose last week as the country eased confinement measures.

Power demand averaged 43.65GW in week 20, up by 3.5GW on the week. France began to ease lockdown restrictions on 11 May to gradually reopen public activities.

The Covid-19 pandemic impacted French power demand, which fell by up to 20pc at the peak of the crisis, compared to normal levels and excluding weekends, French grid operator RTE said. Demand has since risen gradually under the influence of a partial recovery in economic activity, it said.

"The increase in power demand is particularly noticeable in the manufacturing sector, which reached a decline of 25pc at the peak of the crisis," RTE said. "Power demand in the transport sector rose by around 25pc between the last week of confinement — week 19 — and week 20, when the country started to ease restrictions," it said.

The country has been split into two areas depending on the rates of infection. The green region, which includes the majority of central, southeastern and western France, began easing restrictions last week, while the more severely impacted red region of northeastern France — including Paris — will open up at a later stage. The current measures will be revised by the end of May.

French power demand has declined this week so far to an average of 41.03GW, but it remains above week 19 levels. Today is a national holiday in France, which weighs on industrial power demand. Lower-than-average minimum temperatures last week also supported some power demand for heating.

By Felicia Grosse

Average Actual Load 2020 vs. 2019.pdf MW