éCO₂mix - Electricity consumption in France

Electricity consumption in France

This graph shows: 

• Real-time electricity consumption in France,
• The ‘day ahead’ consumption forecast, calculated the day before,
• The consumption forecast updated throughout the day.
   

The area covered is mainland France, excluding Corsica.
Electricity consumption varies throughout the day and from one day to the next, depending on economic activity (it is lower on public holidays and during school holidays), the season, and weather conditions.

The live electricity consumption curve on display is derived from RTE’s real-time remote measurements and continuous calculations. It includes losses on the network, and does not factor in consumption related to pumping operations in PSH (pumped storage hydro) plants.

The figures are updated twice after initial publication:

• Over the following months, the figures are consolidated using available metering data (‘consolidated data’ in the calendar).
• In the course of the following year, the figures are finalised based on all the metering data (‘final data’ in the calendar).

The consumption forecasts for mainland France, which are made the previous day for the following day, are derived from a model that uses:

• Weather data (historical figures and forecasts),
• Consumption data (historical figures,
• Consumption curtailment data (historical figures and forecasts), in other words, the consumption reduction capacity of certain customers,
• Temperature sensitivity, that is to say, variations in consumption in response to changes in temperature,
• Calendar dates (public holidays, weekends, school holidays, etc.).
   

RTE is responsible for balancing the electricity system: as close to real time as possible, it is constantly adjusting output to meet consumers’ electricity needs (in mainland France, excluding Corsica). Ahead of real time, balancing responsible parties (suppliers, producers, etc.) are encouraged to balance their injections into and withdrawals from the system.

The differences between forecast and actual electricity consumption are primarily the result of changing weather conditions (temperature and natural light).

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