EDF delays reactor restarts in further blow to energy supply

Bloomberg

Electricite de France SA (EDF) extended maintenance halts at two nuclear reactors by four months and warned it may have to carry out lengthy repairs
at seven others next year, further straining European power supplies.
The world’s largest nuclear fleet has suffered prolonged shutdowns this year that have left Europe even more reliant on natural gas at a time of record prices. While EDF has returned many units to service in recent weeks, its aging plants look set to run far below optimal capacity this winter. That could worsen an energy supply crisis that’s already cost Europe $1 trillion to try to contain.
The restart of EDF’s Penly-2 unit has been delayed to June 11 from January29, while its Golfech-1 generator will also be back online June 11 rather than February 18, the utility said in a message to the grid operator.
In addition, halt of Cattenom-3 is extended by one month to March 26, and the restart of Civaux-2 is postponed by more than a month to February 19.
France has been forced to import power, having traditionally been a major exporter to neighbouring countries. Its reactors are now running at just over two-thirds of typical capacity. That means more electricity will have to come from gas, eating into European storage that’s become more difficult to refill after Russia cut supplies.
France’s grid operator has flagged the risk of a potential power shortfall in the colder months as heating demand rises while EDF continues to grapple with reactor repairs.
Multiple plant shutdowns have resulted from stress corrosion cracks on pipes in the reactors’ cooling systems. Since EDF uncovered the problem at the end of 2021, it has found that 16 of its 56 reactors are more prone to the issue than its older units because of their designs.