We often hear about energy transition, renewable energies, phasing out nuclear power or even the energy mix, but what exactly is it? We press buttons to turn lights, music, our heaters and appliances on or off, but where does the energy we consume come from? For several years now, France, like other countries in the European Union, has been striving to reduce its consumption of fossil energy in favor of renewable energies. But how does this come about? We invite you to take stock in this article, to ultimately know the main source of energy in France
Primary and final energy
Energy exists in its raw state, but to be able to use it we must make it undergo certain transformations, which differ from one resource to another. We therefore transform primary energy into secondary, or final, energy.
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Primary energy
Primary energy refers to natural resources whose exploitation is intended to produce final energy. There are three types of primary energy:
- Fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal;
- Nuclear energy and therefore uranium;
- Renewable energies, namely hydraulic energy, wind and solar energy, as well as biomass and geothermal energy.
These resources are then transformed so that they can be used for energy purposes, capable of covering our needs for heat, cold, electricity and fuel.
The final energy
Oil, once refined, becomes fuel, while transformed uranium becomes electricity, which we can consume. Final energy is therefore energy which has been manufactured from resources constituted by primary energy. In the same way, water, sun and wind are primary energies that we transform into electricity.
What is the energy mix?
Since the industrial revolution, the exploitation of fossil fuels has exploded, and with it the emergence of two observations:
- The depletion of raw fossil energy resources;
- Global warming due to pollution caused by fossil fuels.
The logical conclusion to these findings is that we must explore other sources of primary energy. The energy mix pursues this mission, with the aim of reducing the share of fossil fuels in the French energy mix, in favor of renewable energies, which are therefore inexhaustible and less polluting.
Application of the energy mix
To define the orientations of our energy production and attempt to calmly chart our energy future, ADEME has carried out a study which focuses on the French electricity mix and which projects until 2060. The ecological transition agency had has already carried out a study on the possibility of achieving a 100% renewable electricity mix in 2050. While waiting for this deadline, the transformation of French energy production is taking place according to an established schedule. The French energy mix is gradually integrating an increasingly large share of renewable energies into its electricity production. Proportionally, this increase reduces the share of nuclear energy.
Composition of the French energy mix
The Ministry of Ecological Transition, through the SDES, the Data and Statistical Studies Service, annually publishes data relating to the distribution of our energy mix. The RTE, manager of our Electricity Transmission Network, also carries out a regular analysis of our energy consumption. Even if nuclear energy remains the most used energy at the moment, the figures for 2018 demonstrate a clear progression in renewable energies:
- 71.7% of our electricity consumption was of nuclear origin;
- 14% came from fossil fuels, coal, fuel oil and gas;
- 12.4% were of hydraulic origin, an increase of more than 25% compared to 2017;
- 5.1% concerned wind energy, with an increase of 15.3%;
- 1.9% of our energy consumed was solar, and although this figure is small, it saw an increase of 11.3% in 2018;
- 1.8% bioenergy marks the start of a new progression in the use of renewable energies.
The energy mix: what are the objectives?
Concerning the energy transition, the Paris Climate Agreement provides for ambitious objectives and a major national effort. Among these objectives are the diversification of the energy mix and the reduction of nuclear energy.
Diversification of the energy mix
France intends to continue its efforts in the variety of energies used, and it aims to:
- Double the capacity of renewable electric energy production facilities by 2028 compared to 2017;
- Increase to 60% of heat produced using renewable energy in 2028, compared to 40% in 2017;
- Strengthen State support for the biogas sector and the hydrogen sector;
- Increase the capacity of offshore wind power.
Decrease in nuclear energy
By increasing its share of renewable energies, France will be able to afford to reduce its nuclear production. As such, two nuclear reactors were closed in 2020 in Fessenheim. France plans to close 2 to 4 more by 2028, and plans to close 14 in total by 2035. These measures would have the effect of reducing the share of nuclear power to 50% of the energy mix, against the current 71.7%.
Reduction of fossil energy
Likewise, the use of fossil fuels must drastically decrease. Firstly because oil, coal and gas are the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, but also because these resources are running out and shortages will inevitably occur. France has therefore committed to permanently closing its last four coal-fired power plants by the end of 2022. It also plans to end coal-fired heating by 2025, in private homes and in collective systems. Finally, apart from the steel sector, industry will no longer have to use coal by 2030. So yes, our main source of energy currently is nuclear. Even if it has the advantage of not emitting CO², this energy has major disadvantages. In addition to not being renewable, it generates nuclear waste which we don't know what to do with. It is therefore essential, in a collective effort, to reduce our energy consumption and turn to new, less polluting practices.
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