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French Power Generation Rises 4.6% in 1st Half as Net Exports Hit Record, RTE Says

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French electricity generation increased 4.6% to 284.3 terawatt-hours in the first half of 2026, driving record net exports and a favorable summer supply outlook, French grid operator RTE said Thursday.

Weather- and calendar-adjusted electricity consumption increased 1% from the first half of 2025, although RTE said it remains too early to conclude that demand has entered a sustained growth trend.

Higher nuclear, wind and solar generation lifted total output to 284.3 TWh, with low-carbon sources accounting for a record 95.2% of first-half electricity generation, the operator said.

Stable domestic demand and abundant low-carbon generation pushed France's net electricity exports to a record 51 TWh during the first half, according to the report.

RTE said French spot and forward electricity prices remained largely decoupled from neighboring markets because domestic low-carbon generation exceeded local demand. It also reported more frequent and deeper negative electricity price episodes.

The operator said periods of weak consumption combined with strong generation, particularly during spring, continued to strain the grid and reinforced the need for planned network upgrades and greater flexibility in electricity production and demand.

RTE expects a comfortable supply-demand balance during summer 2026. Weekly electricity demand should remain close to last year's levels under normal weather and could approach 60 GW during heatwaves, slightly higher if air-conditioning use accelerates.

Even with stronger cooling demand and lower generation availability during heatwaves, France's available generating capacity should remain sufficient to meet electricity demand. Winter consumption peaks, by comparison, historically reach about 90 GW, RTE said.

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