France’s 2020 electricity trade balance of 43.2 TWh was about 13 TWh lower than a year earlier. Commercial export volumes declined sharply to 77.8 TWh (-7 %), whereas import volumes rose to 34.6 TWh (+22 %). These unusual figures reflect the impact the health crisis had on generation capacity in France (especially nuclear) and the drop in power demand in Europe.
Nonetheless, France once again had a net export balance with all neighbouring countries and remained the biggest electricity exporter in Europe.

The trade balance was largely positive through June and declined in the summer. In September, France was a net importer for the month, which had not happened since November 2017. This was the first time in more than 20 years that France imported more than it exported in September, a month during which it usually has a large export surplus. One reason was a sharp decline in the availability of the nuclear fleet relative to past years. Starting in October, the balance became positive again, as numerous nuclear reactors were brought back on line after maintenance work, and temperatures were mild for the season (particularly in November).
 

France imported electricity more often in 2020 than in 2019 across all its borders, especially from Spain, Great Britain and Italy.
 

Reading: In 2020, France used the interconnection with Spain to export electricity 62% of the time and 38% of the time for imports.

France was a net importer on 43 days in 2020, which was 18 more days than in 2019. Contrary to the previous year, most of these days were in the summer months and September, when nuclear power plant availability was lower. There were no net import days in January, February or March, notably because winter temperatures were mild. There were nonetheless fewer net import days in 2020 than in 2016 and 2017.

It should be noted that there is a direct correlation between France’s electricity trading and price differences with its neighbouring countries. At times, it may make sense economically for France to import energy rather than firing up costly generation assets within its borders. In other words, France may import electricity even when there is no shortage of generation capacity. The same is true of other countries when France is an exporter.