--- title: "Electricity Prices in France Just Turned Negative Because of Renewables" description: "Energy prices in France turned negative following a surge in renewable output last week, causing a number of nuclear reactors to shut down." date: "2024-06-18" modified: "2024-06-18" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/electricity-prices-france-negative-renewables" categories: - "Energy" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "france" - "nuclear power" - "renewable energy" - "the digest" --- # Electricity Prices in France Just Turned Negative Because of Renewables ![Energy prices in France turned negative following a surge in renewable output last week, causing a number of nuclear reactors to shut down.]() *\Image: Getty / Futurism\* ## Upside Down Energy Energy prices in France turned negative following a surge in renewable output last week, causing a number of nuclear reactors to shut down in response. As [*Bloomberg* reports](), consumption dropped considerably, with blasting sunshine and strong winds causing solar and wind generation to flood the grid with green energy. While that may sound like an overwhelmingly good thing, much of this power ends up not being used, because battery storage capabilities have lagged behind renewable generation facilities. And not just in France — [much of the continent]() has struggled to hold on to the wealth of renewable energy it's producing. Worse yet, as [some experts have pointed out](), negative energy prices could turn away investors, which could further slow the development of energy storage systems. ## Earth, Wind, and Fiery Sun Negative energy prices are becoming increasingly common thanks to favorable weather and large-capacity renewable energy production. California is [experiencing negative prices]() thanks to a glut of solar energy, and Germany [has similarly seen prices]() dip below zero. In France, it's not just nuclear reactors that shut down in response. Even some renewable energy producers slowed down energy generation to avoid having to pay a fee as a result of negative prices, according to *Bloomberg*. In short, while it's a windfall for the environment — an energy watchdog [predicted last week]() that global oil demand will peak in 2029 — negative prices are also a symptom of storage solutions struggling to even out power availability over time. Complicating matters, France's renewable energy providers are wary of the country over-relying on nuclear power as well. France has fallen considerably behind its neighbors when it comes to solar and wind capacity, [*Reuters* reports](). Almost 65 percent of its power came from nuclear last year. "France must contribute to the European energy system by developing, alongside nuclear power, renewable energy sources which have demonstrated their strengths and competitiveness and will be essential, taking into account the cost and timetable for deploying new nuclear power," France's largest wind farm operator Engie said in a statement, as quoted by *Reuters*. **More on renewables:** *[Capitalists Alarmed as Renewables Keep Making Electricity Temporarily Free]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()