France energy markets long-term outlook 2019

France is a mature market, with strong domestic consumption and high market penetration of modern appliances and electronics. Typical of a mature economy, there is little room for energy demand growth. Efficiently gains, further movement away from energy intense industry and a sluggish economic forecast will all contribute to an overall decline in energy demand. France’s energy demand forecast is characterised by a decline in oil and coal demand and increase in renewable power supply. A key aspect of the French demand forecast is the decline in nuclear capacity in the early 2030s. France is heavily reliant on Nuclear power but plans to cap output and close down a dozen plants by 2035. France is a significant regional exporter of electricity although exports will fall by over 3,500 GWh/yr from 2018 to 2035 to 67500 GWh/yr as nuclear capacity is reduced. However, exports will increase in the medium-term as large amount of renewable capacity come online prior to nuclear retirals.