France showed Germany what nuclear power plants are needed for

By betting on nuclear power plants, France has become the largest exporter of electricity in the European Union. At the same time, Germany, which closed the last station in April 2023, has become an importer — worth hundreds of millions of euros.

In the first half of 2024, France retained the status of the largest exporter of electricity in the European Union. According to Montel, the country has supplied 40.8 TWh abroad. This is 31% more than in the second half of 2023.

"The growth is associated with an increase in nuclear power generation, an excess of hydropower and persistently low demand, despite the fact that French solar and wind power plants often reduce production during periods of negative prices," the publication reports.

They noted that it was in 2023 that France regained its position as the largest net exporter of electricity in Europe and for the first time in more than 40 years became a net importer of electricity at about 17 TWh.

"Most of the electricity from France came to the UK, which received 11.7 TWh, while Italy, Germany and Switzerland received 9.4 TWh, 8.8 TWh and 7.4 TWh, respectively," Montel continues.

As EADaily reported, for the first time in 21 years, Germany has become a net importer of electricity. In 2023, the country abandoned the last three nuclear power plants and, despite the economic downturn and falling demand for all energy carriers, it had to purchase large amounts of electricity abroad. As a result, Germany has not even got rid of dependence on electricity produced at nuclear power plants. She now receives it in large volumes from France and Switzerland.