EDF Corse's electricity goals remain unchanged

EDF Corse's regional director, Sébastien Pietre-Cambacédès, emphasized during the summer 2026 electricity report that the company's primary goal remains to provide reliable, sustainable, and increasingly de-carbonized electricity for Corsica.

Summer electricity demand reached record levels

The summer of 2026 placed significant strain on Corsica's electricity system. Consumption reached 514 GWh in July and August, nearly a quarter of the annual total, with evening peaks reaching 489 MW, 50 MW higher than the previous record.

Heatwaves drove up electricity use

The summer was marked by prolonged and intense heat, increasing demand for air conditioning. The number of days meeting heatwave criteria exceeded those of 2003 and 2024. Despite Corsica's installed capacity of 1,044 MW, mobilizing all resources during evening peaks was difficult due to factors like solar power shutdowns and limited imports.

System stability was narrowly maintained

During peak hours, EDF estimated available power at around 512 MW to meet a demand of 489 MW, leaving only a 20 MW margin. The regional director acknowledged the complexity of balancing supply and demand, noting that the system's stability could have been compromised.

Challenges included infrastructure and weather issues

EDF faced several challenges, including overheating of equipment, thunderstorms in Ajaccio causing power outages, and a fire in Castellu-di-Rustinu that damaged a power line. Despite these issues, the company claims all customers were supplied, praising the efforts of its teams.

Future projects aim to improve reliability

EDF highlighted plans to improve the system's capacity, including the Ricanto project, which will replace the Vazzio power plant. The project is expected to enhance reliability and reduce environmental impact but will not increase overall power output. Additional projects like pumped storage and battery installations are also in the works.

Public engagement and consumption management

EDF is working to manage electricity demand by encouraging users to shift consumption to solar production hours and reduce evening use. Air conditioning use is a key focus, with efforts to persuade businesses to adjust their equipment use to ease the electrical load.

EDF expresses pride and caution

The summer report reflected both satisfaction at avoiding power cuts and caution about rising demand and narrow margins during peak times. The regional director emphasized the need for continued preparation to ensure long-term electricity supply for Corsica.