France is preparing to conduct a large-scale simulation of a nationwide power outage in the latter half of 2027. The exercise, planned by the French government, aims to rigorously test the country's crisis response capabilities in the face of potential widespread blackouts or significant cyberattacks targeting the electricity grid.
The simulation will involve key entities such as the electricity grid operators Enedis and RTE, alongside various government departments, ministries, and the French military administration. The primary objectives are to evaluate the nation's capacity to react to a sudden and paralyzing electricity failure, determine the time required for power restoration, and ensure the continuity of essential services for the population.
This initiative comes in the wake of recent extreme weather events, including record-breaking heatwaves and wildfires that have strained emergency services and highlighted vulnerabilities. The government has also updated its National Resilience Strategy to better prepare for various crises, from natural disasters to potential acts of war or sabotage. The planned drill draws lessons from past incidents, such as a major power outage in Spain and Portugal in April 2025 and a cyberattack on Poland's power grid attributed to Russian intelligence services.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has indicated that a bill will be submitted to parliament to enhance emergency response systems, focusing on adapting organizational structures to future crises and ensuring essential supplies like generators, medicines, and telecommunications equipment are accessible.
