France’s exchange balance reached 60.2 TWh in 2018, which was higher than in the two previous years. It imported 26.1 TWh and exported 86.3 TWh. The balance was positive during every month, and hit 7.85 TWh in May, the highest level on record since July 2014. became again the leading exporter in Europe, after more moderate price growth in the country boosted its exports. Indeed, exchanges between France and neighbouring countries depend directly on price differences between them.

Exchanges remained very volatile throughout the year: France had a net import balance of 10 GW on 28 February at 8:00 am and a net export balance of 16.2 GW on 22 January at 3:00 am. This represents 26 GW of flexibility for the French power system, and also illustrates the level of European solidarity made possible by interconnections.

The number of days on which France was a net importer of energy declined to 17 from 52 in 2017. This decrease mainly reflected greater availability of the nuclear power plants than in 2016 and 2017.