To avoid power cuts this winter, an 'energy weather forecast' could be presented on television

In anticipation of the power cuts that could affect France this winter, the government plans to create an energy weather forecast, which will be presented on television at the same time as the classic weather forecast.

Every day, the weather presenters tell us the rain and the good weather in France on television. However, they could soon present us with new data, related to our energy consumption.

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Indeed, the French government plans to create an energy weather forecast. Thus, the presenters could present to us the peaks of electricity in the country, with the aim of helping the French to adapt their energy consumption. This project was presented to Matignon and some weather presenters who were contacted would be very interested.

Energy weather on television

This project would inform the French about their electricity consumption in real time, during prime time. While waiting for this weather report energy” is put in place, there is already a system that allows you to adapt your energy consumption in real time. It is present on the website of the RTE , the electricity transmission system operator.

This site provides live information on the level of French electricity consumption, region by region. Thus, the French know when they must reduce their consumption in order to use electricity at the best time.

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This energy weather idea could work since the RTE site has already presented results. On April 4, RTE sent an alert message to all its subscribers informing them of a peak in consumption and asking them to adapt theirs. Thus, 800 megawatts were saved that day, or 'the equivalent of twice the consumption of the city of Montpellier and almost the power of a nuclear reactor' , according to the RTE.

Avoid power outages this winter

The government's idea is therefore to make this system more accessible by coupling classic weather with new energy weather. Thus, the televised energy weather report could be broadcast between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and in the evening between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., during the time slots when the most electricity is used.

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This project could allow the French to avoid certain cuts of electricity which are to be feared this winter. This Wednesday, September 14, the RTE presented its forecasts for this winter, and France would experience a risk on the supply of electricity between October 15 and April 15, 2023. This risk is linked to the increase in the price of electricity. energy and supply tensions.

The French energy system was placed under 'enhanced vigilance', a system that had never before been used in the country. Thus, temporary power cuts could occur for some individuals and businesses this winter. Hence the importance of getting information and saving energy when possible.