1. The Group, its strategy and activities

France remains Europe’s leading exporter

The French balance of trade amounted to 55.7TWh in 2019, slightly down compared to 2018. Commercial export volumes were slightly down at 84TWh. However, import volumes increased, standing at 28.3TWh. France has retained its place as the leading country for exports in Europe.

The position of cross-border contractual exchanges in 2019 is as follows:

  • Spain: the exchange balance with Spain remained in large surplus with 9.7TWh. However, this was down 19% compared to the previous year, particularly due to a limit on exchange capacity between April and the beginning of December;
  • central and western Europe (Germany and Belgium): the balance of exchanges showed a surplus at 2.7TWh. However, this was less than in 2018. This was due in particular to better availability of Belgian nuclear plants this year, resulting in less need for Belgium to import electricity from France. Belgium even became a net exporter this year;
  • Italy: the exchange balance with Italy was significantly in surplus, rising to 18.8TWh, stable compared to 2018 (+0.3TWh). Interconnection is primarily requested in the direction of export with only 247 import hourly periods (i.e. less than 3% of the time) compared with 330 in 2018;
  • Switzerland: the exchange balance with Switzerland is increasing and stands at 13.2TWh, a 25% increase compared to 2018. There was far more exporting than last year from May onwards (except for October); there were no net imports in any month;
  • United Kingdom: the exchange balance with the UK showed a surplus of 11.3 TWh. This was however lower than in 2018, in particular due to limited capacity between April and June as a result of maintenance on the IFA 2000 France-England Interconnector. These limitations were as high as 1,000 MW throughout practically the whole of April.

1.4.4.2 Distribution – Enedis

As a distribution network operator, Enedis’ main objective is to operate and develop the public electricity distribution network, guaranteeing its security and safety, and overseeing the balance of electricity flows at all times. Enedis has been operational since 1 January 2008. Initially called ERDF, it changed its name to Enedis on 1 June 2016. Enedis services around 95% of the population in mainland France. The other 5 % are served by Local Distribution Companies (LDCs).

In 2019, Enedis distributed electricity to more than 36.9 million customers (points of delivery) and provided for the injection from 441,600 production sites in mainland France, thanks to a network of around 1.38 million kilometres.

At 31 December 2019, Enedis employed 38,754 people.

Electricity volumes on the Enedis network

(in Twh)


  • Injections Injections by RTE 315.5 
  • Injections by decentralised producers 55.4
  • Withdrawals Deliveries 346.2 
  • Losses 24.7


  • Injections Injections by RTE 325.1 
  • Injections by decentralised producers 49.6
  • Deliveries 350.2 
  • Losses 24.5 Withdrawals



NB: The values correspond to the expression to the first decimal or integer closest to the sum of the precise values, taking into account rounding.

Electrical losses are inherent to the functioning of the distribution network and mainly result from physical effects which are directly dependent on the amount of electricity delivered. Enedis must compensate these losses to complete the amount of energy delivered to the final customers. The volume of losses in 2019 stood at 24.7TWh (see Electricity report above), i.e. a rate of 6.38% (1). Losses recognised in the accounts, including restatements of prior financial years amount to €1,096 million. To Compensate these losses, Enedis buys the corresponding electricity from the wholesale market, either through organised market platforms, or through calls for tender open to 19 qualified suppliers.

Technical specifications: the distribution network for which Enedis is the concession holder (see section 1.4.4.2.2 “Distribution activities”) is, at 31 December 2019, made up of around:

  • 651,952 kilometres of A-type high-voltage (HVA) lines of 20,000 volts;
  • 725,317 kilometres of low-voltage (LV) lines of 400 volts;
  • 2,182 HVB/HVA source substations;
  • 792,112 HVA/LV transformer stations.

(1) This rate is now calculated as a ratio of losses for the year to gross inflows before deducting backflows to the transmission network.