Find here find the data on electricity generation in France, presented either in aggregate or in detail by generation type: nuclear, conventional thermal, hydro, solar, wind and renewable thermal. The graphs illustrate in particular the emergence of new production sectors in the energy mix, with the development of solar, onshore wind and offshore wind power production capacities.
Nuclear
Electricity generation from nuclear power plants in France
- Preliminary data
- Preliminary data
Informations and sources
This graph represents the evolution of electricity production in France from nuclear power plants. Annual and monthly nuclear power production balances are shown, and can be compared with each other.
Nuclear generation was much lower un 2022 than in previous years, It was also lower than in 2020 which has been an exceptional year due to the health crisis. The drop in generation en 2022 is explained by the historical low availability of the fleet during the year.
The data can be of various kinds:
Data from RTE meters and distribution network operators. In order to draw up global consumption or production balances, we need to have an aggregated view of all metering data on the transmission and distribution perimeters. These data are only available on the 15th of each month for the month just ended. Although updates are possible for at least 12 months, the consolidated data is very robust from the first date of availability. Provisional data, derived from telemetry set up by network operators at various points on the power grid, supplemented by estimates for non-telemetered production or consumption. Provisional data provide an initial overview, available very quickly after each deadline; they are not of the same quality as metering data (estimates taken into account, less accurate measurement than metering data, etc.). Graph elements based on provisional data are indicated by a specific pictogram on the portal.
Nuclear capacity availability
- Preliminary data
- Preliminary data
Informations and sources
This graph shows the availability of French nuclear power plants for electricity generation.
The daily available power values of nuclear power plants are presented over the last three years and can be compared with an average vision represented by the envelope over the 2015-2019 period.
- The availability drop in 2022 is due to outages for maintenance and inspections related to stress corrosion cracking, and is particularly wide in the summer as the maintenance operations were concentrated in these months in order to have maximum availability during the coldest periods.
Focus - La disponibilité nucléaire
- tous les 12 à 18 mois et pour une durée d'environ 40 jours pour rechargement du combustible,
- tous les trois à quatre ans et pour une durée d'environ 3 mois pour des visites partielles de sûreté du réacteur,
- tous les dix ans pour les visites de sûreté décennales qui conditionnent la poursuite de l'exploitation de la centrale, pour une durée minimale de 6 mois.
En plus de ces arrêts programmés, des arrêts fortuits impactent également la disponibilité des réacteurs.
Depuis 2014, dans le cadre du grand carénage, les arrêts pour maintenance et amélioration en vue de prolonger la durée de vie des centrales se sont allongés. Par ailleurs, aux arrêts habituels, est venu s’ajouter en 2022 et 2023 l’effet significatif des contrôles et réparations liées au phénomène de corrosion sous contrainte identifié fin 2021 par EDF.
La crise sanitaire a également affectée la taux de disponibilité du parc nucléaire, notamment en 2022.
Selon les estimations de l’exploitant, rendues publiques en décembre 2023, la production nucléaire pourrait retrouver un niveau compris dans la fourchette 335-365 TWh de production annuelle dès 2025.