French nuclear power generation has hit its highest level in nearly six years, helping to offset a significant drop in wind power output across western Europe, Bloomberg reports.
Electricite de France (EDF) reported its reactor fleet was producing over 55 gigawatts of electricity on Wednesday, the most since February 2019. This surge in output is allowing France to export power to neighboring countries, including Germany, which is experiencing a sharp decline in its own wind energy production.
Germany’s wind power generation is expected to slump to just 3.8 gigawatts this afternoon, roughly 20% of its usual capacity, according to a Bloomberg model. This is putting a strain on the country’s energy system following the closure of its last nuclear power plants last year.
With limited renewable resources available, Germany is increasingly reliant on expensive imports and gas and coal-fired power stations to make up the shortfall. On Monday, the country’s electricity generation from oil soared to a record high since at least 2017, highlighting the precarious position of its energy mix. Even then, wind power was still generating around 20 gigawatts, further emphasizing the recent drop.
The supply crunch has caused German intraday power prices to spike. On Wednesday, prices on the Epex Spot SE exchange hit approximately €330 per megawatt-hour for the 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. hour, more than double the price for the same period the previous day.
The sharp price increases and the clear vulnerability to fluctuations in renewable output are reigniting calls in Germany to reconsider the shuttering of its nuclear plants. As tensions with Russia continue to put energy security at the forefront of political debate, the question of nuclear power is likely to play a significant role in the upcoming elections. However, major operators like RWE AG have already rejected proposals to restart nuclear facilities.
