Heat wave: when the air conditioning heats the electric meters of the French

At the start of this burning summer, it is not only the thermometers that beat records. Monday, June 30, France experienced a surge in its electricity consumption in the middle of the afternoon, with an increase of approximately 15 % compared to the same period last year, according to figures relayed by Le Figaro. In line of sight: air conditioning, which has become equipment present in more and more households.

It must be said that these devices, still rare a few years ago, were largely invited to the domestic landscape. We talked about it in our File on air conditionersa quarter of homes of individuals are now equipped with it, according to Ademe. And their use continues logically to grow at the rate of heat waves even if we remain late compared to certain countries such as the US and Japan equipped with 90%.

This peak in consumption, although notable, remains below the levels reached in the middle of winter, when the heaters run at full speed. But it forces operators to adjust production, especially since some power plants must deal with the constraints of the weather. This is the case of the Golfech site, in the southwest, where a reactor was paused this weekend due to too high a water temperature in the Garonne, used for cooling.

Nothing alarming. The French nuclear park, which provides almost 60% of electricity, remains the backbone of the system. And with generous sunshine, Solar comes in reinforcement. Enough to face this first summer wave, even if the next few days are just as hot.