Drop in consumption means France less at risk of electric power cuts this winter

France's electrical grid operator RTE has lowered its prediction of power cuts this winter as consumers are using less electricity and nuclear power plants are producing more than anticipated. © Laurent Cipriani/AP

France’s electrical grid operator has lowered its forecast of power cuts through the rest of the winter, largely because of a reduced demand from consumers and higher than expected nuclear and hydropower availability.

"We absolutely have the means to avoid power cuts this winter,” Thomas Veyrenc, executive director of the French grid operator RTE, said Tuesday during an online press briefing to present the latest predictions.