The French electricity network manager, RTE, has released a preliminary analysis of the summer of 2026, which was characterized by extreme heatwaves, prolonged drought, and rising gas prices. These conditions led to the temporary closure of several nuclear reactors and increased reliance on air conditioning, but the overall electricity grid remained stable throughout the period. Electricity consumption during the summer of 2026 reached 99.1 terawattheures (TWh), slightly higher than the 95.2 TWh recorded in the previous summer. Nuclear power contributed 83.7 TWh, a small decrease from the 84.4 TWh in 2025. Hydroelectric power production was heavily impacted by the drought, reaching 10.8 TWh — the second lowest in 50 years — compared to 12.8 TWh in 2025. Wind power production rose to 8.9 TWh, up from 8.0 TWh in 2025, while solar power reached 15.1 TWh, compared to 12.5 TWh in the prior year. Gas power plants were used more frequently, producing 4.1 TWh compared to 2.6 TWh in 2025. However, this level is still below the average seen between 2014 and 2019. The increased use of gas power was concentrated in the evenings, when solar energy production declines and air conditioning demand remains high due to accumulated heat. France continued to export electricity for 99.9% of the summer, sending 23.7 TWh abroad — a level similar to the previous two summers. The average electricity spot price reached 109 euros per megawattheure (€/MWh), significantly higher than the approximately 57 €/MWh in 2025. This increase was primarily due to rising gas prices, linked to the conflict in Iran and the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. The nuclear sector was among the most affected by the heatwaves, with up to 13.4 gigawatts (GW) of cumulative unavailability recorded at the peak of the summer, resulting in over 10 TWh of lost production. This is the highest recorded level since 2003 and 2020. Factors contributing to the disruptions included regulatory limits on water flow and temperature in rivers, which affected several power plants, as well as an unusual proliferation of medusae (jellyfish) at the Gravelines nuclear plant. In total, 15 reactors were impacted, representing 21% of France's nuclear capacity. Despite these challenges, nuclear power production remained nearly the same as in previous years, with 83.7 TWh between June and August, compared to 83.5 TWh in 2024 and 84.4 TWh in 2025. RTE noted that water levels are at their lowest in a decade, but there is no direct link between the water level and the ability to meet winter electricity demand peaks. The rise in electric vehicle sales and the increased use of air conditioning did not significantly impact the electricity grid this summer, according to RTE. The manager explained that the effect of electric cars on electricity consumption is currently marginal, with a more noticeable impact expected around 2030. Additionally, no major consumption peaks were observed during summer rush hours, even with the heavy use of fast-charging stations. RTE acknowledged that air conditioning use represents a "structural phenomenon" increasing summer consumption, but it does not appear to reverse the typical winter electricity demand peak in the near future.