It comes after EDF revealed that nuclear power generation, which normally generates about 70 percent of France’s electricity, plummeted in August by nearly 40 percent year-on-year, mainly as a result of corrosion problems with its nuclear reactors country. This has led France to become a net importer of electricity in the first half of 2022, despite normally exporting cheap nuclear power to the UK via the three cables that trade electricity across the Channel. Now, it seems things have changed and French President Emmanuel Macron could need Britain’s help in trying to keep the lights on as energy costs soar in winter. Dr Jeff Hardy, Senior Research Fellow at the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, told Express.co.uk: “The UK is interconnected by high voltage cables to many European countries, including France, Norway, Belgium and Republic of Ireland Interconnection is good as it diversifies our supply, enhancing the resilience of the electricity system. “France is suffering from nuclear power outages, which has led to a tight electricity market in France. Historically, France has supplied the UK with cheap power from its nuclear fleet. Now, it needs help, which is exactly why the interconnection is good topic for European security. “At the same time, the UK is rapidly increasing its electricity generation from renewable sources, particularly offshore wind. Going forward, this means the UK will be a net exporter of wind power, particularly on windy days when demand is low. This means that more interconnections will be needed in the future as there will be days when we need to drop power.” It comes as National Grid said it hoped to benefit from imports from Europe. A forecast in July revealed the National Grid would need plenty of imported power supplies this winter and suggested Britain could rely on power from Europe – as it has in previous years. In its annual outlook for winter electricity supplies, the agency said the UK would be able to use undersea cables sending power from Europe, but warned of “tight” periods in early December even as it receives that support . READ MORE: MPs urged to end long parliamentary recess as bills help tackle backlogs But some experts have warned that depending on those imports from abroad could be a huge gamble and could even risk a blackout as energy costs soar while supplies are cut by Vladimir Putin. There are fears that Putin may be tempted to cut off all remaining gas exports to Europe this winter. Bob Seely, a Conservative MP who sits on the influential Foreign Affairs Committee, told the Telegraph in July: “There is likely to be an energy emergency in Europe, caused mainly by Germany’s disastrous decisions; firstly, to shut down nuclear power stations of appeasing his obsessive anti-nuclear green lobby and, secondly, of becoming fully dependent on Russian gas. “For now, it seems likely that Putin will further squeeze energy supplies this winter to exert maximum political pressure on Germany and other EU states that use Russian gas, such as Italy and Hungary. He wants to undermine the coalition in support of Ukraine.” But, according to Dr Hardy, the UK could be in a stronger position than Europe and can actually help after ramping up renewable electricity generation. He told Express.co.uk: “Emergency calls to interconnections are common. For example, last summer the UK had to ask France to send less electricity through the interconnections as our demand was too low ( and France responded positively). DON’T MISS Xi gives Putin lifeline as EU cuts energy ties with Russia [REPORT] King Charles is ready to continue climate activism, former adviser says [INSIGHT] The discovery of extraterrestrial life is imminent as scientists predict discovery [REVEAL] “It is in everyone’s interests for countries to respond to emergency calls if the security of supply in that country is not at risk. So while the factors that led to this emergency call are exceptional, if the UK can help, we should. We will certainly have cases in the future where we need help.” A spokesman for the National Electricity System Operator said: “We have published an early view of the winter outlook to help the industry prepare for this winter. “In early autumn we will publish a full winter outlook based on verifiable market data as well as extensive engagement with stakeholders, including system operators in other countries, to ensure our analysis is as robust as possible.” .
