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While there is a risk of a shortage of electricity this winter, with more than half of the nuclear reactors shut down, we would like to be able to count on the electricity produced by the dams. But the current drought is mechanically lowering their production.
The water has almost disappeared, revealing large strips of land on the surface. Serre-Ponçon (Hautes-Alpes), the largest artificial lake in France, is dry in places. We observe pontoons out of the water, and islands now connected to the shore. The drought has just upset this landscape and threatens the activity of the hydroelectric power station on this dam. The lake has lost a third of its capacity in one year. Millions of cubic meters evaporated, as evidenced by satellite photos. Consequence: the turbines of the dam, which produce electricity, have been idling, at -60% since the beginning of the year.
Franck Belotti, deputy director of EDF Hydro Méditerranée, relies on the water supply for the autumn season. In normal times, this dam is capable of producing enough electricity for 300,000 inhabitants. But this year, nuclear power and wind turbines had to take over. EDF prefers to preserve the little water that remains in the lake for the winter, when energy demands are highest. Hydroelectricity represents 12% of our electricity production, second only to nuclear. With global warming, should we always bet on this source of energy? EDF does not plan to slow down its development.