Strikes over French nuclear reform plan reduce output

• 3 years ago (2020-12-10)
• David Flin

Europe 1061 Nuclear 640

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Strikes by workers protesting against a French nuclear reform plan reduced nuclear power generation by more than 1 GW on Wednesday evening (9 December). The Penly 1 reactor is operating at limited capacity due to the strike, down 1070 MW to 260 MW. This drop is expected to continue until the end of the strike.

Data showed that the disruption represents around 3.6 per cent of available production capacity. Electricity demand for 10 December is forecast to be around 70.2 GW, due to predicted cold weather. France was a net power importer throughout most of Wednesday.

The reform plan involves a restructure of EDF , including a split between the company’s nuclear and renewable energy activities. The unions fear that this would pave the way for privatising the group.