10% of France’s green energy wasted in first half of 2025

In 2025, around 10% of France’s solar and wind energy output was wasted, according to grid operator RTE, as distribution networks struggled to handle the rapid growth of renewables. Despite the surplus, electricity prices did not fall, reflecting the intermittent nature of clean energy production. Solar output peaks between late morning and early afternoon, while demand remains highest in the early evening, creating a mismatch that the system has yet to balance.

France’s reliance on nuclear power further complicates matters. Nuclear reactors provide the base load but cannot be easily adjusted to match short-term fluctuations. A striking example occurred in August, when jellyfish clogged cooling water intakes at the Gravelines nuclear plant, forcing four reactors offline for several days. During this period, nuclear still dominated power supply, though solar temporarily rose to account for nearly one-third of generation.

RTE data also highlights growing price volatility. In the first half of 2025, there were 363 hours of negative electricity prices, up from 235 the year before. Yet average prices have risen to €67 per MWh, driven by high gas costs and colder weather, though they remain among Europe’s lowest.

France continues to expand renewable capacity, adding 2.1GW of solar and 0.2GW of wind in the first five months of 2025. However, storage remains limited, with just 1GW of batteries installed nationwide compared to 61GW across Europe. While EDF and others are promoting domestic batteries to reduce household bills by up to 80%, high installation costs mean payback periods of 10–15 years.