First analyses of the electricity system’s operation – Summer 2026

The summer of 2026 was marked by heatwaves that were exceptional in terms of their early onset, intensity and duration, as well as by a persistent drought in France and across Europe. These events affected the various components of the electricity system to varying degrees, but without jeopardising the national electricity supply. In particular, the very high capacity for low-carbon generation relative to demand has, since 2022, significantly increased the system’s ability to cope with unforeseen events affecting generation or consumption.

The lessons gradually being learnt from this summer will inform RTE’s public forecasting studies (including, in particular, the ongoing reassessment of the ‘Futurs énergétiques 2050’ study and the SDDR) as well as operational preparations for future summers. To shed light on these impacts and following on from the review of the first half of the year, RTE is publishing a preliminary analysis of the summer of 2026. These analyses are based in part on provisional data and will be refined over the coming months and included in the Annual Electricity Review, which will be published in early 2027.

You can find the full analysis in the document available for download below (in French only).