Decrease in exports to Spain


France once again had a net export balance with Spain though it was much smaller than in 2019, falling to 5.2 TWh, down 46 % from a year earlier. France imported more often due to more favourable market conditions during the year in Spain, and to the decline in nuclear generation in France. In September, France posted its highest net import balance ever, at 0.8 TWh.

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France-Spain exchange capacities


Exchanges capacities were limited at this border between late January and early April due to Storm Gloria, which notably affected two 400 kV lines in Catalonia.

Average capacity available at the France-Spain border nonetheless increased to 2,592 MW for exports and 2,427 MW for imports. The interconnector was saturated 61 % of the time (41 % for exports and 20 % for imports), which was lower than in 2019.

It should also be noted that the new D-2 coordinated capacity calculation process, per the objectives of the Capacity Allocation and Congestion Management regulation, was put into place at this border on Monday, 27 January and took effect on 29 January 2020. The new calculation method will provide an overview of constraints that is closer to real time while also increasing the capacity made available to the market.
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