POWER
France has switched to a net export position to Spain so far in May for the first time this year as hydro output has increased, with French nuclear generation remaining firm on the month. In contrast, Spanish PV has reached a yearly high, while hydro generation has fallen. The trend could continue next month as French June is at a large discount to Spain at the time of writing.
- •French-Spain net exports have averaged around 183MW over 1-20 May, switching from net imports of around 1.31GW in April. But France has still been at a net import position to Spain so far this year at around 905MW, according to data from Entso-E.
- •France has been mostly a net exporter between the hours of 00:00-08:00 CET and 20:00-23:00 CET, with the country flipping back to a net importer for the remainder of the hours amid peak periods of renewable output in Spain.
- •This is different from April when France was a net importer for all hours during the day.
- •Hydro output in France has averaged about 10.79GW so far this month, up sharply from 8.88GW in April and a new yearly high.
- •French nuclear generation has also remained firm at about 36.2GW compared to 36.9GW in April, although a yearly low for the year.
- • This stable base-load generation has led to France sending power mostly during hours of low renewable output.
- •In contrast, Spanish hydro has fallen on the month, averaging 4.76GW in May compared to 6.2GW in April, while PV output has increased to 7.03GW from 5.95GW – leading to Spain to send power during peak demand hours.
- •Spanish onshore wind has also taken hit, decreasing to an average of about 5.8GW in May from 6.26GW.
- •France may continue to be net exporter to Spain as the French June power contract closed at a €10.63/MWh discount to Spain on 17 May.
- •The JAO CBC auction on the French-Spanish borders will take place over 21-23 May.
326 words