EDF should no longer be able to reach the target set by the government of 45 reactors available on January 1. The energy company still lists 26 shutdown infrastructures of the 56 that make up its nuclear park and is not advancing in its recovery schedule. It is still the repairs linked to the stress corrosion problem that justify these suspensions of activity of 15 nuclear reactors. The others are for routine maintenance only, with the exception of the second reactor at the Saint-Laurent (Loir-et-Cher) power plant, which will only restart on December 1 to save fuel.
In total, there are now 16 infrastructures that EDF must restart before the end of the year, including 11 in November alone. These prospects could well lead the operator of the electricity transmission network (RTE) to revise its monthly forecasts for next winter, which it will release this week.
LNG imported from Mozambique
The fill rate of the reservoirs of the dams operated by EDF advances a small point compared to last week, at 66%. They remain close to the historical averages observed at this time of year, at only 3.6 points. In detail, sites in the Northern Alps continue to lead with an occupancy rate of 86%, well above normal (+13.4 points). Those of the Massif Central, the Pyrenees and the Southern Alps are around 57%, but the last two geographical areas are further behind the historical averages. The energy company desperately hopes that rainfall will fill these reservoirs and approach the heart of the fast-approaching winter period with a bit more calm.
The real good news on the French energy reserves front is at the level of gas, although stocks have already reached their technical maximum for several weeks. As a reminder, the International Energy Agency was concerned last week about filling up gas reserves for the winter of 2023 under the joint effect of a rapid resumption of Chinese demand and a complete shutdown of imports from Russia. These concerns could be partly allayed as Mozambique has just announced the start of its liquefied natural gas exports, particularly to Europe.
Source: BFM TV
