With this decision of the nuclear policeman, France escapes a dark scenario for its electricity supply, already very tight for next winter.
Article written by
Published
Update
Reading time : 1 min.
The Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) on Wednesday July 27 validated EDF’s control strategy regarding the corrosion problems encountered on certain reactors in its French fleet. “ASN considers that EDF’s strategy is appropriate given the knowledge acquired on the phenomenon and the associated safety issues”explains the authority in a press release.
EDF plans to check all of its reactors by 2025 using ultrasound to look for any traces of this problem, which has led to the shutdown of 12 out of 56 reactors. The group must check the most sensitive areas as a priority. 1,450 MW reactors and some 1,300 MW.
“However, with regard to reactor 2 of the Belleville nuclear power plant, ASN considers that the inspection of this reactor scheduled for 2024 is too late”, she says. ASN considers that knowledge of the so-called phenomenon of “stress corrosion” are “still evolving” and “the control program must be adapted if the controls or analyzes reveal new elements”.
This problem of corrosion on certain circuits weighs down the prospects for nuclear electricity production and financial results this year for EDF, whose government has planned 100% renationalisation. It also raised concerns for France’s electricity supply next winter. Thirty reactors out of 56 are currently shut down, including 12 for corrosion and 18 for scheduled maintenance.
From this point of view, ASN’s decision on Wednesday does not aggravate the situation, because the nuclear policeman is not calling for faster checks, synonymous with reactor shutdowns, but essentially validates the EDF. The electricity producer had considered in May that it was not “no need to anticipate new reactor shutdowns”.