France achieved record electricity exports to the sum of €5 billion last year, according to figures from the French high-voltage grid operator RTE.
In 2022, France exported 101.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. After deducting imports, the net export amount stood at 89 TWh.
“The total value of French electricity exports reached an unprecedented €5 billion, compared to an annual €1 to €3 billion since 2000,” RTE said. This record is attributed to a significant increase in export volume (+34% compared to 2023), which more than compensated for the lower prices.
Italy was the largest recipient of French electricity, receiving nearly one-third (32%) of the exports. Germany followed with 18%, and Belgium accounted for 15%.
“The records come barely two years after France imported more electricity than it exported in 2022 for the first time since 1980,” RTE added. Production had been severely affected by issues with nuclear reactors at the time.
In 2024, more than two-thirds of electricity in France was generated by nuclear reactors. Hydropower accounted for nearly 14%, while wind turbines produced 8.7% of the electricity. The total production of 536.5 TWh was the highest in five years.
