![Generation by source in January [source: Rte]](http://gastopower.co.uk/media/k2/items/cache/58c7d308de575a13fc2e45afded3eff2_S.jpg)
Thermoelectric generation in France continued to see sharp year on year increases in January, rising some 71% to 8.3 TWh, according to data from grid operator Rte.
The trend was on the back of the ongoing spell of cold weather affecting the country, and as thermoelectric power plants compensated lower output from nuclear plants (-2.6% at 40.5 TWh), and wind installations (-29% at 2 TWh).
Solar generation also increased some 37.7% year on year at 0.37 TWh.
Total electricity consumption was up 14.3% year on year in January at 57.3 TWh, reaching a peak of 94.2 GW on January 20, the highest level recorded since 2012.
Moreover, France continued to be a net importer of electricity, with a deficit of 0.95 TWh. Imports were coming primarily from the UK (with net imports of 442 GWh) and, for the first time since April 2016, from Spain (347 GWh).
Wholesale power prices posted an average Eur78/MWh, amid reduced availability of nuclear generation in France and Germany, weak wind generation and higher wholesale gas and coal prices, Rte said.