Service continuity and quality

ERDF is responsible for ensuring the continuity of the public electricity distribution service. To keep the quality of its supply at a high level, the company continuously makes new investments. These make it possible to develop, modernise, automate and secure power lines, notably against extreme weather conditions.

Delegated network management

In France, the public electricity distribution network belongs to local authorities (French municipalities or groups of municipalities), who subcontract to ERDF as an operator through a public service delegation contract . The delegation contracts state that in exchange for the right to operate the network, ERDF must maintain and develop its infrastructure.

Performance and quality of the electricity network

Service continuity and quality primarily depend on the electricity network’s performance. For this reason, ERDF is committed to renewing and developing the network.

In 2011, System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) for low-voltage customers was 73 minutes.

Modernising the network

Even though the network offers satisfactory performance, it will still grow old and disparities in regional service occur. The vulnerability of the overhead network has been demonstrated during several major weather events. For this reason, ERDF is pursuing the plan to modernise and secure infrastructures, which was launched in 2006.

To reach its goals, the company is committed to increasing the percentage of investments intended for the network.

These investments are mainly intended for:

laying new power lines,

reinforcing fragile sections of the network,

automating the network,

trimming and removing trees located near power lines,

implementing the extreme weather plan,

maintaining and developing the rapid intervention force for the electricity network (Fire in French).