Renewables Boost French Power Supply Safety Margins

France's electricity supply should be stable between 2015 and 2020 as more wind and solar energy projects add capacity and even if the country shuts down its ageing Fessenheim nuclear plant, grid operator RTE said in its annual forecast on Friday.

RTE had warned last year that France faced an increased risk of power failures from 2015 as gas-fired power plants are mothballed at home and across Europe.

"The continued operation after upgrading of gas-fired plants, ... development of new capacities and improving energy efficiency, will allow the improvement power safety margins in France until 2020," RTE said in a statement.

It added that even if the Fessenheim nuclear plant - France's oldest - were to close before the start-up of the new 1700 megawatts (MW) Flamanville EPR reactor in 2018, France will still have sufficient power generating capacity.

"Renewable energy, continuing its dynamic growth, will contribute to guarantee French electricity supply safety margins," the grid operator said, adding that a slight reduction in demand due to energy efficiency measures, will also contribute in creating a secure margin.

RTE expects that onshore wind power capacity will increase by 1,000 MW per year until 2020 and the first offshore wind power with capacity of about 1,000 MW will be installed during 2019. Solar capacity increase by 3,500 MW by 2020, it said.

RTE said that interconnections with neighbouring countries also help secure the balance between supply and demand for electricity in France, contributing 8,000 to 10,000 MW during the winter peak consumption.

(Reporting by Bate Felix)