RTE is renowned for its expertise. It has been operating, maintaining and developing this grid for 20 years, while constantly balancing supply and demand, second by second.

RTE is a public utility which provides all competing power-generation facilities with non-discriminatory access to the grid.

RTE informs the decisions of the public authorities who make energy policy. It also educates the members of the general public, helping them to gain a better understanding of electricity so that they can use it more efficiently.

Playing a central role within the French and European power systems, RTE is a vital economic partner of businesses and regions, a pivotal player in the energy transition and the move towards renewable energy sources, and a firm proponent of Europe-wide electrical solidarity.

So that the current flows every second: "We are here" (2:40)

This video highlights the crucial role of RTE, committed 24/7 to ensuring the balance between electricity production and consumption, while supporting the energy transition towards a decarbonized France.

Discover how RTE teams ensure, every second, the continuity of electricity for everyone.

Film institutionnel RTE - Pour qu'à chaque seconde le courant passe : nous sommes là

[Cette vidéo réalisée pour RTE présente le rôle de RTE au quotidien]

Voix off : Que serait la vie sans électricité ? Ici. Maintenant. Partout en France. 24 heures sur 24. À chaque seconde. Aujourd’hui. Demain. Été comme hiver. À chaque saison.

Un technicien montant sur une échelle : Nous sommes là.

Voix off : Engagés dans notre mission de service public, nous développons et maintenons un réseau de plus de 100 000 kilomètres qui achemine l’électricité dans les territoires, pour nos industries, nos entreprises et nos familles. Présents, quel que soit le défi, la hauteur, la complexité.

Un technicien tenant son casque sous le bras : Nous sommes là.

Voix off : Nous transportons ce bien vital, en garantissant l’équilibre permanent entre l’électricité produite et celle qui est consommée. Nous exploitons une infrastructure locale, nationale, interconnectée avec l’Europe. Un réseau au cœur d’une transition vers une France décarbonée où l’électricité sera la première des énergies.

Une employée : Nous sommes là.

Voix off : Nous faisons face à toutes les réalités. Nous analysons, nous anticipons l’avenir, ses défis et ses opportunités. Nous éclairons les choix, les décisions, pour rendre possible tous les futurs énergétiques. Les enjeux sont infinis.

Une employée : Nous sommes là.

Voix off : Nous sommes près de 10 000 femmes et hommes. RTE est là pour qu’à chaque seconde le courant passe.

Masquer la transcription textuelle de la vidéo : Pour qu'à chaque seconde le courant passe : nous sommes là (02:14)

Titre

RTE key figures

105,817 km

of power lines, the biggest grid in Europe

99.9994 %

power supply continuity

10,025

employees including +500 apprenticeships

5,559 M€

of revenue in 2024

40 M€

worth of investment committed to R&D

91 %

customer satisfaction rate in 2024

The role of the transmission system in the French and European electricity framework

The transmission network links electricity producers to the consumers and links France to its European neighbours, through an impressive accomplishment: guaranteeing the constant balance between production and consumption and between imports and exports.

Infographics - The French electric system

Titre

Key dates

2000

Establishment of the transmission system operator

A piece of legislation was enacted requiring the establishment of a transmission system operator, separate from the generation utility. That brought an end to the monopoly of EDF who had previously held both mandates.

2005

Birth of RTE

RTE is a limited company and a wholly owned subsidiary of EDF. Its articles of association guarantee its neutrality with regard to all power-generation facilities.

2016

Change in ownership

RTE’s capital was transferred to CTE (Coentreprise de Transport d’Electricité), jointly owned by EDF (50.1%), the Caisse des Dépôts (29.9%) and CNP Assurances (20%).

Titre

And what about tomorrow?

2025

The corporate Impulsion & Vision project

This project addresses the future industrial challenges facing the company.

2050

Aiming for carbon neutrality

RTE is exploring potential scenarios for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Portrait de Thérèse Boussard, Clotilde Levillain, Xavier Piechaczyk, Sophie Moreau-Follenfant et Thomas Veyrenc

RTE, a responsible and committed corporation

Governance

Finance

As a public utility, RTE’s DNA is imbued with strong values of transparency, respect and sensitivity to the needs of others. On a day-to-day basis, it works hard to reduce its environmental footprint, to enlarge its societal footprint, to protect its workforce, and to foster close ties and constructive dialogue with its customers, its suppliers and the regions across which its power lines run.

A limited company with an executive board and an oversight council, RTE has specific features pertaining to its role as France’s transmission system operator (TSO). Its articles of association and its modes of governance ensure that it remains autonomous, independent and neutral.

RTE discharges its duties as a public utility within the framework of a regulated monopoly. In consideration of this, most of its revenues come from the price it charges for the use of the transmission system, the amount of which is set by France’s Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE). RTE pays close attention to these financial and economic balances in order to be able to fund its investments as well as its grid operation and maintenance activities, whilst continuing to offer a service at the most affordable cost, thereby helping to boost the competitive strength of economic players and to safeguard the public’s purchasing power.

RTE, a responsible and committed corporation

As a public utility, RTE’s DNA is imbued with strong values of transparency, respect and sensitivity to the needs of others. On a day-to-day basis, it works hard to reduce its environmental footprint, to enlarge its societal footprint, to protect its workforce, and to foster close ties and constructive dialogue with its customers, its suppliers and the regions across which its power lines run.

Governance

A limited company with an executive board and an oversight council, RTE has specific features pertaining to its role as France’s transmission system operator (TSO). Its articles of association and its modes of governance ensure that it remains autonomous, independent and neutral.

Finance

RTE discharges its duties as a public utility within the framework of a regulated monopoly. In consideration of this, most of its revenues come from the price it charges for the use of the transmission system, the amount of which is set by France’s Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE). RTE pays close attention to these financial and economic balances in order to be able to fund its investments as well as its grid operation and maintenance activities, whilst continuing to offer a service at the most affordable cost, thereby helping to boost the competitive strength of economic players and to safeguard the public’s purchasing power.