AI sparks as much hope as concern and has become a key issue in international politics. However, Romain Serres from Tilt Energy warns about the gap between France’s ambitions and its actual ability to develop such technology.
The International AI Summit took place on February 10-11 in Paris. In his closing speech, Emmanuel Macron wryly commented on the American stance by saying: “I have a good friend across the ocean who says: ‘Drill, baby, drill.’ Here, there’s no need to drill—it’s ‘Plug, baby, plug.’” With this punchline, he sought to emphasize that France has the necessary resources to welcome energy-hungry AI companies: abundant, low-carbon, and affordable electricity, largely made possible by nuclear energy.
The Saturation of our power grid threatens the Energy Transition
However, this promising and optimistic statement overlooks a crucial detail: our power grid is not designed to handle a massive increase in electricity usage while also integrating more renewables. Today, our system still relies heavily on rigid infrastructures, unable to quickly adjust production and consumption.
In 2023, France experienced 147 hours of negative electricity prices on the market (1.7% of the time), and 235 hours in just the first half of 2024 (5.4% of the time) — a clear case of economic waste.
Without more advanced flexibility mechanisms, we will be forced to invest heavily in redundant and costly power generation solutions.
An underexploited economic and environmental opportunity
Demand-side flexibility is both an economic and ecological necessity. It allows for better profitability of existing infrastructure, more efficient energy distribution, and avoidance of polluting power plants being switched on. According to the International Energy Agency, improving grid flexibility could reduce the costs of the energy transition by 10% while also cutting CO₂ emissions.
AI for smarter energy
While we are emphasizing AI’s role in society, we are overlooking its potential for energy optimization. By combining weather forecasts, real-time demand management, and automated production adjustments based on market price fluctuations, AI could significantly impact how we consume electricity. France, with its low-carbon energy mix, key electricity players, AI expertise, and support systems, is well-positioned to become a leader in flexible and intelligent electricity.
Investing in flexibility as a key lever
Emmanuel Macron refers to his “Notre-Dame strategy”, aimed at modernizing French industry through investments in AI and energy. In line with this, RTE (France’s electricity transmission system operator) has just announced a €100 billion plan over 15 years to adapt the grid to the challenges of decarbonization and reindustrialization. Meanwhile, €109 billion in private investments are expected in AI by 2031.
“Plug, baby, plug”? Yes, but without a major investment in grid flexibility and digitalization, it remains an illusion.
Romain SERRES
Co-founder & CEO of Tilt Energy
Guillaume LOUAT
Co-founder & COO of Tilt Energy
Thomas BAJAS
CGO of Tilt Energy
