new fears about EDF power plants

On the Franceinfo 11 p.m. set on Thursday April 21, journalist Aurélie Schiller explains that for several months, “cracks on the pipes of several reactors” EDF were detected. “Checks have already revealed cracks on five reactors, at least four other reactors could be concerned. The Chooz power plant (Ardennes) for example is already shut down at least until December. Additional expertise must determine the exact nature of the defects and their seriousness”she points out.

The journalist adds that “all levels of the French nuclear fleet could be affected and of these three families of reactors, it is the 900 megawatt reactors that are of particular concern to EDF”. They are 32 out of the 56 reactors that make up the nuclear fleet in total. Aurélie Schiller also evokes last April 4 when, with the sudden drop in temperatures, 25 reactors were shut down for maintenance. EDF had supplied itself from other countries and had asked the French to reduce their consumption. “Today, EDF wants to be reassuring. The problem remains functional and has no impact on the country’s security”concludes the journalist.