France is experiencing an unprecedented winter drought that could prolong problems and cause “headaches” for the main operators of French hydro power plants – Electricite de France (EDF) and Engie, writes Bloomberg.
It hasn’t rained in France for almost a month – since January 21. This is a record for winter, said the national meteorological service Meteo France. Rain is expected in some regions next week, but France is likely to end February with a 50 percent precipitation deficit, the agency noted.
“In addition to the lack of rain, snow cover in the Pyrenees and the Alps is also visibly below the seasonal average,” the meteorological service said, noting that the quantity of precipitation over the next three months will be decisive.
Energy production through hydropower in France fell by 20% last year, to its lowest level since 1976. For the country, 2022 was the hottest and driest year in history.
The drought, which affected several areas in Europe, contributed to the energy crisis that began on the continent amid falling supplies of Russian gas and the difficulties of EDF (the company operates 19 nuclear power plants in France) with the repair of nuclear reactors, the agency said.
Hot weather has also led to a reduction in crops and contributed to the occurrence of forest fires. Winter wheat and barley in France is only coming out of hibernation and 90% of crops now show good or very good condition, the agency says citing FranceAgriMer (structure of the French Ministry of Agriculture). At the same time, in the coming weeks, as the crops grow, their need for water, and thus for spring precipitation, will begin to grow, says the note.
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