French Hydro Reservoirs at Lowest Levels Since 2003

French water reservoirs used for hydropower generation are at their lowest levels since March 2003, electricity grid operator RTE said on Tuesday. The low reservoir levels are due to a heavy usage for power generation during peak demand power in winter to cover the shortfall in nuclear power supply, a spokeswoman for RTE said, adding that low rain and snowfall during the period had kept the reservoir levels low, Reuters reported. French reservoirs were at about 23% of capacity in the ninth week of the year, RTE data showed, lower than the previously recorded 31% in week 16 in 2003. With winter demand easing and most French nuclear reactors back in production, while snow is starting to thaw, the reservoir levels are expected to rise to their seasonal levels in the coming months, the spokeswoman said.