Dams experience almost historic winter level, according to EDF. Just before the peak electricity consumption season, the stocks in the hydraulic park should allow us to cope with possible cold waves.

The dams are reaching an "almost historic" filling level this winter, which would make it possible to cope with possible peaks of cold and therefore electrical consumption, an EDF executive said on Monday.

"We started with a dry year at the beginning [in 2019] and for the past three months we have had significant contributions, in the form of snow in the altitude dams, but also there was a lot of water on the average dams altitude, "Marc Ribière, head of the Upstream-Downstream Optimization and Trading Department of EDF, told the press during a brief update on the winter situation, the peak electricity consumption season in Europe.

Dams experience almost historic winter level

20% more than the average

According to him, "we have almost for the season a historic level of stock, about 20% above the average for a month of January", or "a strong opportunity […] to deal with cold snaps that can happen tardily".

In winter, 1 ° C lower on the thermometer represents 2,400 MW more consumption.

The French hydraulic park, including the dams, represents some 14,000 MW "mobilizable in a few minutes", underlined Marc Ribière, who also evokes the rise of renewable energies, in particular wind, alongside nuclear, even thermal.

"The transition to winter, we prepare for it months before," he said, mentioning the scheduling of maintenance outside of winter. "Next week, temperatures should drop below normal for the season and we are confident," added Marc Ribière.

TRENDING: The French spent an average of € 1,700 to heat themselves in 2019

Energy renovation specialist Effy carried out a survey of more than 50,000 people on their heating bills. The cost varies depending on the region and the type of energy used. With significant disparities.

Last year, the French spent an average of € 1,669 to heat themselves according to a survey by Effy, a company specializing in energy renovation for more than 50,000 people, reports Le Figaro.
Wood, the cheapest energy

From one energy source to another, the cost can vary enormously. The most expensive energy remains fuel oil with an annual bill of € 1,913 while for gas, it amounts to € 1,446 and for electricity at € 1,802. Consumers who heat with wood do the best with € 759 spent in 2019.

Please note, however: Effy has reduced these averages to the heated area per m². Thus, for an equal area, electricity becomes the most expensive energy (€ 15.90 per m²) ahead of fuel oil (€ 12.90 per m²) and gas (€ 11.70 per m²). Wood heating remains far behind (€ 5.80 per m²).

Brittany under 1,600 €

Another factor that varies the score, the region. And there, Ile-de-France pays the most with € 1,864 on average. Then come Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (€ 1,802) and Normandy (€ 1,784).

Conversely, three regions fall below the € 1,600 mark per year: Brittany (yes!) With € 1,568, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (€ 1,566) and Occitania (€ 1,524) ).
Energy renovation

To lower the heating bill, the French are encouraged to carry out energy renovation works.

To help lower-income households renovate their homes, the government has launched a new MaPrimeRénov ’premium to replace the previous tax credit for the energy transition.