Just when we need it EDF and the government are urging industry and households to economise on electricity to avoid power cuts.
France relies on its nuclear power stations for over 80% of supplies and with over 80% of homes heated by electricity it responds poorly to peaks. You simply cannot turn on an extra nuclear pile. So electricity has to be imported from Germany (still using coal fired stations) and Spain, which has substantial wind power production.
Locally many rely on wood or oil and gas, but nationally the subsidies given to electric installations in the 1990's mean that the natural gas networks so widespread in the UK just don't exist here. So if you are cold - put another layer of clothes on (and an extra dog on the bed).
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