France extended a plan that allows power producers to burn more coal this winter to avoid possible power shortages, but tightened conditions when the country’s two coal-fired power plants operate.
The move comes as Electricité de France SA’s nuclear output, which provides more than half the country’s power, is expected to remain below historic levels during the coldest months of the year as continues to fix faulty pipes in some reactors. France loosened emissions limits from coal plants in early 2022.
Electricity generators that emit a lot of carbon dioxide, such as coal-fired power plants, will be able to run for up to 1,800 hours this winter, or almost 11 weeks, compared to last winter’s peak of 2,500 hours, the Ministry said on Thursday of Energy Transition. Plants will have to pay more per ton of carbon dioxide released, according to a government decree.
“The strain on the electricity system is currently lower than in the same period last year,” the ministry said, citing better prospects for nuclear and renewable production and a drop in energy consumption. “However, all measures must be taken to ensure the security of the energy supply of the French in any case”, such as the continuation of the war in Ukraine or a “very hard” winter.
While fears of blackouts that arose after Russia cut natural gas deliveries to Europe last year have largely subsided, governments across the continent are pursuing energy-saving measures to limit bills to consumers.
Coal-fired power plants accounted for just 0.6 percent of France’s electricity generation last year.
