Electricity production in France: resources and statistics

Production is the first step in the electricity value chain.Electricity can be produced from several sources, some having a greater impact than others on the environment.If fossil fuels still largely dominate the international scene, what about electricity production in France?

Differences in electricity production

All sources of electricity come from the transformation of primary energies, directly present in nature (oil, wood, natural gas, etc..), in secondary energies produced by humans (for example the transformation of heat into electricity in thermal power plants).Wece produced, the secondary energy must be transported to its place of consumption.The electricity that the consumer receives is called the final energy.

There are 4 main types of energy: mechanical, photovoltaic, thermoelectric and gravitational.Certain production techniques are old more than a century, such as coal power plants, others recent, like geothermal energy for biomass.Some are still under development and could upset the landscape of electricity production, such as solar ovens, tidal factories or more generally the methods of gasification of biomass.

Nuclear power, the majority source of production in France

Nuclear is the majority source of electricity production in France.There are 58 reactors on 18 power stations on French territory.Nuclear is deeply rooted in French electrical culture.Developed in the years 1950-1960, he took his real boom in the 1970s under the chairmanship of Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, following the oil shock.But today, the nuclear sector is challenged by environmental movements whose voice is increasingly focused on this question.

Le nucléaire, une passion française

Civil nuclear developed in France after the Second World War, as in a number of other nuclear powers.But the history of the atom in France begins long before 1945, through prestigious scientific figures like Marie Curie.It is then transmitted in schools that form generations of engineers.We can therefore speak of a real nuclear culture in France.

Le parc nucléaire français

The French nuclear park is made up of 58 reactors spread over 19 sites.They are all second generation.That is to say that they have been built with the same technology, in which pressure water is used to transport the heat produced by nuclear reactions.12 reactors are now arrested, 9 of which are being dismantled.The others will see their lifespan extended during the GrandeAnage operation.Indeed, all French reactors were built between the 1960s and the 1980s.Many arrive at the end of his life.

Les EPR

EPRs are a new generation of nuclear reactors.They were presented in the 1990s as "evolutionary" and not "revolutionary" compared to the classic REPs.They promise to be safer and more efficient.They would also produce less waste and releases.Today there are 4 EPR sites in the world: Olkilvoto in finish, Flamanville in France and two EPRs for the city of Taishan in China.Another project is being studied in Hinkley Point.It is Areva, one of the pillars and history companies of the French nuclear sector.

All EPR sites have experienced an explosion of deadlines and costs.The nuclear security authority has also found that the tanks of 2 reactors (Flamanville and Taishan) have serious weaknesses.This new poses important problems because they suggest a ban on use, which would have catastrophic industrial and financial consequences.These delays, faults and this explosion of costs question the profitability of EPRs.

Le grand carénage

Another challenge awaits the French nuclear industry: the large carriage of nuclear power plants.Following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, new safety standards were set up for French power plants, which arrive for many at the end of life.The Grand Carénage aims to extend the lifespan of the 58 French reactors from 40 to 60 years old.If the site was initially estimated at 55 billion, the Court of Auditors revised the upward quote.

Fossil fuels still used in France

In early 2016, EDF announced the closure of its Fioul power plants in 2018 (Porcheville in the Yvelines and two slices of the Cordemais power station in Loire-Atlantique).This announcement follows the production of two sections of the Aramon power plant (Gard) in April 2016.Ultimately, the closure of these oil power plants represents a loss of 5.2 gigawatts of production capacity, or half of the EDF thermal park.Thermal power plants still play an essential role, as they can be started very quickly.They are a solution to compensate for consumption peaks, even if it is a particularly polluting solution.They also pose problems of energy sovereignty.Indeed, France must import raw materials which are used to operate these power plants.

Progression of renewable energies in France

Renewable energies, increasingly acclaimed by citizens and public authorities, have experienced significant boom in recent years.France, by its size and its climate, has a good potential to become an engine country in the development of renewable energies, even if nuclear is still well rooted in French culture.

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L’énergie hydraulique

Hydraulic energy is the first source of renewable energy in France (and in the world).It is based on a principle known for several centuries, which is found in water mills: the strength of the current turns a turbine.Except that instead of activating a stone wheel to grind wheat, it creates electricity by activating an alternator in which copper and magnets interact.There are 2300 hydraulic installations in France, more or less large size.Almost 82% of French production is provided by 4 regions: Rhônes-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Midi-Pyrénées et alsace.Hydraulics is the most used renewable energy in France and in the world.However, public policies bet more on other renewable energy sources because hydraulic power plants do not have a neutral impact on ecosystems and that the French hydraulic potential is already exploited well.

L’énergie éolienne

Wind energy is perhaps the most visible source of renewable energy production for a large majority of French.It is indeed not uncommon to see a field of wind turbines by circulating on the roads and highways of France.If the share of electricity of wind origin was only 4.3% in 2016, it was, in 2020 by 7.9%.Which makes it the 3rd source of electricity in the country.France is the 3rd wind producer in Europe behind Germany and Spain and the 7th in the world.Because of its size and geographic position, France is the second wind deposit in Europe, behind Britain.Deposit that ADEME is responsible for mapping.

French wind turbines operate on average 80% of the time, providing variable power.Indeed, it is a source of electricity subjected to weather vagaries that are difficult to predict and even less controllable.However, the French wind deposit is not yet fully exploited: the development of wind energy in France is therefore quite possible.

L’énergie solaire

Solar energy is also well known to the French.Unlike other energy sources, solar is above all used in the context of self -consumption.It is a practical and sustainable solution for homes far from electrical networks.This explains why the vast majority of installations in service are of low power.Installations that are mainly found in the Southwest and on the Mediterranean coast, the sunny regions of France.However, when we know that the first solar energy producing country is Germany, we see that France still has a great margin of progression.

The French energy mix

The energy mix designates the distribution of different energy sources (nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, solar, etc..) which are used to produce energy, in this case electricity.In fact, in order to meet its energy needs, each country uses energy sources in different proportions, which it has by its national production or that it matters.In France, electricity production is dominated by nuclear energy which represents almost three -quarters of total production.The importance of nuclear energy in the energy mix is explained in particular by past strategic choices, like the deployment of a civil nuclear program from 1958 to 1970.

A rather original energy mix while almost 70% of world electricity production is dominated by fossil fuels.The nuclear production system, generalized following the first oil shock of 1973 in order to reduce energy dependence, makes it possible to cover a large part of French consumption but also to export electric current in Europe.Today, there are 19 nuclear power plants in France for 58 reactors.

In 2020, the French electric mix has evolved somewhat.Indeed, the context of the health crisis has led to a drop in nuclear production, a consequence of the degradation of the availability of nuclear power plants, but also a drop in fossil combustion thermal production for the benefit of wind power.Indeed, in 2020 and according to RTE, wind turbines becomes the 3rd source of electricity in France with 39.7 TWh against 37.6 TWh for thermal and is placed behind nuclear and hydraulics.

Source: French electric assessment 2020 by RTE, the manager of the French Electricity Transport Network.

Electricity storage: where are we?

Storage is a very promising energy vector in the decarbonization of energy uses.Directorate General for Energy and Climate

Unlike primary energies such as gas, oil or coal, electricity is difficult to store.Until the 1980s, storage solutions were rare, unreliable and excessively expensive.Furthermore, the issues related to global warming were not yet very significant in public opinion.Paradigm shift in the 2010s: electricity storage becomes more and more essential.The European Commission makes it one of its priority projects, as evidenced by the document "Energy 2020 - Strategy for competitive, sustainable and safe energy".Storage must meet 4 major challenges in France

The main electricity producers in France

The three main electricity producers in France are EDF, Engie (ex-GDF Suez) and E.We.

EDF, the historic electricity producer

EDF is the 1st world electrician, with 37.6 million customers worldwide, € 71.2 billion in turnover and 619.3 TWh of electricity production.It brings together 154,845 employees in France and abroad and invests 12.6 billion euros in 2015..

In the immediate post-war period, the law of April 8, 1946 established the nationalization of private companies for the production, transport and distribution of electricity.An industrial and commercial industrial establishment is created in order to manage the assets of nationalized companies: electricity of France, better known as EDF.However, it only benefits from monopoly status for transport and imports of electricity.Indeed, electricity producers persist, including the SNET (National Thermal Electricity Company) or the Shem (Hydroelectric Society of the Midi).But beware, these companies are only allowed to sell electricity to EDF.Production becomes, however, over time separated from the transport monopoly.Also, the existence of these monopolies is gradually defeated from the 2000s throughout the European Union while the liberalization of the sector is underway.

Engie, the 2nd producer of the French market

Often known for its activities in natural gas or liquefied natural gas (LNG), Engie also exercises an essential role in the electricity market.The group is defined itself as "a global player in energy and expert in 3 professions: electricity, natural gas, energy services."In fact, Engie operates one of the largest electric parks in the world with an electricity production capacity of 115.3 GW.In February 2016, Engie announced a three -year transformation plan to accelerate its strategic turn to renewable energies.The group intends to enhance low carbon energies, energy services and activities at regulated or contracted prices, less risky than those exposed to market prices.

The Engie group exercises several functions.Electricity producer, historic natural gas supplier...It also markets market offers for electricity and is, in this regard, the direct competitor of EDF!

Second producer of electricity in France and in the world, Engie is first from a European adventure: the group was indeed born from the rapprochement of several large companies in French and Belgian industry, like theSociété Générale de Belgique, the Universal Company of the Suez Maritime Canal, the Lyonnaise Society of Water and Lighting but also Gaz de France.The group is booming at the first half of the 19th century, more precisely in 1834, while the Sampe de la Sambre at the Oise company was inaugurated in Paris to transport charcoal coal to the Paris Basin.The ancestor of Engie was therefore Franco-Belgian!In 1880, the Lyonnaise Society of Water and Lighting was created in Paris.A little more than half a century later, the law of April 8, 1946 established the nationalization of private companies for production, transport and distribution of electricity.Gaz de France (GDF) is created at the same time as its counterpart for electricity, EDF.In 2008, one year after the liberalization of the energy market, GDF Suez was born from the merger between Suez and Gaz de France...to finally become Engie in 2015.

What is the difference between producers and electricity suppliers?

If he is the main consumer interlocutor, the supplier only intervenes on the last line at the level of the electricity value chain.The fact remains that it is an essential player in the electricity market.Both buyer and electricity reseller, he is in charge of marketing electricity to individuals and professionals.

In France, the electricity market is organized in four poles.

1. La production d’électricité : le secteur regroupe trois acteurs principaux (EDF, Engie et E.We) qui assurent plus de 95% de la production d’électricité en France. Les producteurs d’électricité sont en concurrence en vue de proposer une énergie au meilleur prix.
2. Le transport de l’électricité : il consiste en l’acheminement sur les grands axes du réseau électrique jusqu’au lieu de distribution et en le contrôle de l’équilibre global du système électrique. En France, Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE) est le gestionnaire de réseau public chargé des infrastructures de transport (construction, entretien, gestion, etc.). Il exerce un monopole régulé par la Commission de Régulation de l’Énergie (CRE).
3. La distribution de l’électricité : il s’agit de distribuer aux clients finaux l’électricité qui est acheminée grâce aux grandes lignes du réseau. En grande majorité, la distribution de l’électricité est assurée par Électricité Réseau Distribution France (Enedis, anciennement ERDF) ou par des Entreprises Locales de Distribution (ELD). Comme pour le gestionnaire de réseau de transport, les gestionnaires de distribution d’électricité exercent des monopoles régulés par la Commission de Régulation de l’Énergie (CRE).
4. La commercialisation de l’électricité : elle correspond à l’activité de vente d’électricité aux consommateurs finaux et consiste à vendre au détail de l’électricité. Cette activité est exercée par les fournisseurs qui achètent l’électricité sur le marché de gros aux producteurs. Elle est ouverte à la concurrence : depuis 2007, particuliers et professionnels ont le choix entre les offres d’électricité du fournisseur historique (EDF) et des fournisseurs alternatifs Total Direct Énergie, Cdiscount, Planète Oui…). Ces derniers proposent souvent des offres plus avantageuses que celles du fournisseur historique.

But then...What role does EDF play in France? In France, EDF has a double cap!He is both electricity producer and historic supplier.

Electricity production worldwide

In all countries of the world, electricity contributes to economic development.Generally, the increase in electricity production is accompanied by an improvement in quality of life as well as the creation of wealth.According to the International Energy Agency (IAI), average electricity production increased by 3.4% per year between 1973 and 2013 worldwide.In 2014, electrical production, however, experienced a 0.8% drop in OECD countries, due to the gradual abandonment of fossil fuels: -17.1% for oil, -3.4% forCoal and -1.2% for natural gas.A trend that mainly affects thermal power plants.

Source: Global energy mix by BP Statistical Review of World Energy, June 2021

The main electricity producers in the world

La prédominance des énergies fossiles

Fossil fuels always constitute the first sources of electricity in most countries of the globe.In 2013, they represented 67.5% of world electricity production.Although from year to year their share in the global energy mix dropped, in 2020, fossil fuels still counted for more than 60% of global electricity production (61.3%).Oil remains to a large extent the main source of energy consumed worldwide (31.2% of primary energy consumption worldwide in 2020).

Fossil energies designate the energy produced from rocks from the fossilization of substances naturally present in the ground of the earth.They appear in three forms: oil, natural gas and coal / coal.They are in limited quantity and are not renewable.Their combustion causes greenhouse gases.

As such, France serves as an exception: if fossil fuels are still very widespread in France, they are not very much for the production of electricity.Thus, the use of oil is dominant in transport and heating production, but not at all in electricity production.That said, thermal power plants based on the combustion of coal, petroleum and natural gas remain important insofar as they provide electricity in the event of unforeseen consumption peaks, for example in the middle of winter.In France, this type of power plants only work on average a few hundred hours a year to ensure the balance between supply and demand.If they are quick to put into service, they emit a lot of CO2 by MWH produced and have a very high marginal cost of production.In 2015, French Fioul Park provided only 0.6% of production, while it represents 6.7% of the capacities installed.

Les énergies renouvelables en progression

Renewable energies are progressing all over the world, especially in developed countries.China remains the undisputed leader.It has 4 of the largest hydraulic power plants in the world and by far ahead of its competitors in the field of photovoltaics.The development of renewable energies is reinforced by a global drop in costs.In Argentina, Chile, India, Jordan, India, Jordan, Saudi Arabia or even in the United Arab Emirates, the price of KWH dropped to $ 0.003, an unbeatable price.In addition, renewable energies are today the subject of investments twice as important as fossil fuels, to combat global warming.

However, hydraulic power plants remain the first source of renewable energy.Of the 10 largest power plants in the world, all categories combined, 9 are dams.However, the exploitation of hydraulic power is not without a problem for the environment.The construction of a dam disrupts ecosystems and leads to sometimes large population movements.Take the case of the three gorges dam in China, which is to date the largest power plant production in the world.He flooded 600km2 of agricultural land.He is one of the aggravating factors that caused the disappearance of the China dolphin.Finally, he led to the displacement of nearly 2 million inhabitants of the region, without the help of the government.

In addition, the progression of renewable energies is mainly done at the nuclear detriment.Indeed, we see that only the part of nuclear in global production has decreased in a significant way in the face of the rise in green energies.On the other hand, the share of fossil fuels remains stable.It is always the first source of energy, even though it is the most problematic energy source for the environment.However, COP23 pointed out the climate emergency in which the planet is located.The development of renewable energies should accelerate to hold the objectives set by the COP21.

Top 10 des producteurs d'électricité dans le monde

Last figures obtained in April 2017.Some producers have not yet published their data for 2016.

Where is France in terms of electricity production in the world?

In France, electricity production is dominated by nuclear energy which represents almost three -quarters of total production.The importance of nuclear energy in the energy mix is explained in particular by past strategic choices, like the deployment of a civil nuclear program from 1958 to 1970. A rather original energy mix while almost 70% of world electricity production is dominated by fossil fuels.The nuclear production system, generalized following the first oil shock of 1973 in order to reduce energy dependence, makes it possible to cover a large part of French consumption but also to export electric current in Europe.

Renewable energies are also developing in France.France is 3rd in Europe and 7th in the world for wind production.Globally, France is still very far behind China, an indisputable giant in the sector.

1. Environnement : les systèmes de stockage doivent prendre en compte l'ensemble des enjeux environnementaux. A quoi bon une batterie qui permettrait de stocker de l'énergie renouvelable mais qui serait elle-même polluante à produire et à recycler ?
2. Economie : il est nécessaire que la valorisation du stockage soit être intégrée dès la conception du dispositif ;
3. Innovation : il est important d'accompagne le développement des procédés industriels ;
4. Juridique : il faut définir le cadre institutionnel et réglementaire qui va accueillir et accompagner le stockage de l'énergie.
   1. EDF (Électricité de France) est le premier producteur d’électricité en France et dans le monde par les quantités d’électricité produites. Il exploite le premier parc de production nucléaire mondial. Créé au sortir de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, en 1946, il s’agit d’une société anonyme (SA). Son capital est détenu à 84,5% par l’État français. La production électrique d’EDF au niveau mondial se répartit comme suit (chiffres 2014) : 54% d’énergie nucléaire, 16% d’énergie hydraulique, 16% de thermique fossile hors gaz, 9% de cycle combiné gaz et cogénération et 5% d’énergies renouvelables (autres). Le chiffre d’affaires du groupe français était de 75,59 milliards d’euros en 2013, dont 39,9 milliards d’euros en France.
   2. Engie (ex- GDF Suez) est le deuxième producteur d’électricité en France et dans le monde. Il est également le troisième plus grand groupe mondial dans le secteur de l’énergie (hors pétrole). Principalement spécialisé dans la production de gaz naturel, l’énergéticien a dopé sa production électrique en se rapprochant de l’entreprise d’électricité britannique International Power en 2010 qui détient plus de 50 centrales électriques dans le monde. Dans l’Hexagone, Engie exploite près d’un quart du parc de production hydraulique. L’énergie hydraulique représente près de 40% de sa production ; c’est 50% pour les énergies renouvelables.
   3. E.We est une entreprise née de la fusion des groupes allemands Veba et Viag en l’an 2000. Résolument européenne, cette société d’origine allemande s’est imposée sur le marché de l’énergie français au moment de l’ouverture à la concurrence. En 2008, E.We a racheté la Société Nationale d’Électricité et de Thermiques (SNET) ce qui lui a permis d’investir la production électrique d’origine thermique.