23 Nov 2023 | 14:35 UTC
French nuclear ramps up to nine-month-high ahead of cold snap
Highlights
Flamanville 2, Cattenom 3 reactors restarted
More than 45 GW available late November
Cold snap to lift peak demand to 75 GW
French nuclear output rose to 42.9 GW on Nov. 23, the highest since Feb. 17 as operator EDF restarted reactors ahead of the first cold snap forecast this season, system data showed.
November-to-date output averaged 37 GW, some 6 GW below a forecast by analyst at S&P Global Commodity Insights, the biggest setback for French nuclear in recent months amid record wind and hydro supply this month.
Two 1.3-GW units at Cattenom and Flamanville restarted with three more reactors set to follow over coming days, boosting nuclear availability well above 45 GW.
However, the swing to colder weather for the last days of November will add pressure with demand forecast to peak at 75 GW on Nov. 29 as average temperatures are forecast to fall 4 C below normal, according to grid operator RTE.
That compared to a 63 GW demand peak on Nov. 23.
French week-ahead power traded Nov. 23 at Eur126/MWh, up over 20% so far this week, but December contracts were little changed around Eur102/MWh, EEX data showed.