France energy imports (CIF): electricity
France energy imports (CIF): electricity stood at 126.96 EUR million in Aug 2026, according to Eurostat – imports and exports of oil and petroleum products by partner country, monthly (nrg_ti_oilm, nrg_te_oilm). It is one of the indicators in the Energy trade table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1981 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Energy trade table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imports (CIF) | |||||||||||
| Electricity | 126.96 | 52.22 | 81.58 | 41.7 | 46.14 | 88.28 | 57.62 | 197.58 | 54.22 | 64.91 | |
| Coal | 111.8 | 115.81 | 103.47 | 83.98 | 87.94 | 101.86 | 56.24 | 69.83 | 110.86 | 48.01 |
Understanding france energy imports (CIF): electricity
Cross-border transmission grid metering stations and CIF valuation accounts record the total gross financial expenditure on imported electrical energy, including transmission fees. This series captures all electricity delivered across international high-voltage interconnectors from neighboring grid systems. It differs from fuel import indicators by measuring secondary energy flows valued at wholesale market spot prices rather than primary physical commodities. The gross figure reflects total external power procurement without netting out electricity exported during surplus generation periods.
Real-time wholesale market clearing prices and instantaneous grid balancing requirements dictate the volatility of this gross import series. Seasonality is driven by extreme weather events that trigger sudden heating or cooling loads across interconnected networks. Analysts must review provisional transmission data alongside domestic power plant outage reports to understand unexpected surges in external procurement. Comparing these gross electricity imports with domestic generation statistics clarifies the reliability margin maintained by the national power grid.
Frequently asked questions
- How are transmission and transit fees incorporated into this electricity import series?
- Border crossing tariffs and grid access fees levied by transmission system operators are factored into the total valuation.
- Why does this series measure gross power purchases rather than net exchange?
- It tracks total incoming electrical energy without subtracting power exported to neighboring countries during the same billing cycle.
- What operational conditions lead to sudden spikes in gross electricity imports?
- Peak demand surges combined with low renewable output or plant outages force grid operators to import maximum power.