RTE sees ‘massive’ thermal output needs without nuclear

RTE sees ‘massive’ thermal output needs without nuclear

London, 25 October (Argus) — France's need for new, decarbonised thermal generation power plants — using hydrogen and biogas — could be more than double existing gas-fired generation capacity by 2050 if the country phases out its nuclear capacity by then, according to a study published by RTE.

RTE, France's electricity transmission system operator (TSO), today published its future of energy outlook, focusing on six different scenarios for France to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

The scenarios differ primarily around the availability of nuclear capacity. One scenario models a complete phase-out of French nuclear output by 2050 and another two assume that the existing fleet is maintained and makes up 13pc of the energy mix by 2050 (see table).