EDF is finding it difficult to meet its timetable for relaunching its fleet of nuclear reactors before winter. The day after the presentation of the government’s energy sobriety plan, the energy company deplored 28 operating reactors… provided they were shut down. Three were re-launched over the weekend, namely Nogent 1, Bugey 2 and Cruas 4, while Paluel 2 will be re-launched on Monday.
Of the 25 nuclear reactors still shut down Monday morning, 15 are for inspection or repair of welds affected by corrosion. EDF has announced that corrosion welding repairs have been completed on three reactors at Chinon, Cattenom (pronounced CattenomE) and Bugey. But this good news is offset by the accumulated delays at various sites: a week’s delay at Nogent, ten days at Gravelines and Cruas, and even a month and a half delay at one of the two Flamanville reactors which will not be relaunched only at the end of November.
It’s time to save on the water supply
The challenge is big for the power company, which must meet a tight schedule that contains many reactors undergoing maintenance or repair at the same time. This is the challenge for the winter: to what extent will EDF be able to respect the calendar it has given? At the moment, it is still planned to restart 16 reactors by the end of November. The next few weeks will be decisive.
As for the dams operated by EDF, they are 64% full, an increase of two points that brings their level a little closer to the historical averages, slightly above 71%. The Northern Alps dam acts as a good student with 80% filling (+3.1 points compared to normal) unlike those of the Southern Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central, which range between 52 and 59% although the latter actually close to its usual level. In general, at this time, EDF feeds on it because the rains are frequent in October, but currently, the energy company prefers to save its precious water reserves.
On the gas side, stocks have been full for several weeks, at 97%. On the other hand, it should be remembered that they cover “only” 25% of the annual gas consumption in France. If they decrease during the winter, Engie organizes itself to replenish them on the water, in particular thanks to the liquefied natural gas that arrives by ship.
Source: BFM TV
