Nuclear power plant operators under high pressure
France fears for its nuclear power
08/31/2022, 4:45 p.m
In the midst of the biggest energy crisis in Europe for decades, 30 percent of the nuclear power plants in France are failing: maintenance and repairs are putting operators under pressure. The price of electricity is exploding. Experts doubt the promised improvement for the winter.
The failure of several nuclear power plants in France has triggered fears of a lack of power supply in winter. The country could also fail as an electricity supplier for neighboring countries such as Germany. For the first time since records began in 2012, France has become a net importer of electricity, according to data from consulting firm EnAppSys. Nuclear power plant production has fallen to its lowest level in 30 years.
The timing could hardly be worse, as countries like Germany, Italy and Poland are already struggling with the effects of Russia’s gas supply cuts. The 56 nuclear power plants are the backbone of the electricity supply in France. They cover around 70 percent of the demand. However, a wave of repairs and overdue maintenance work has caused electricity production to fall and prices to rise. In addition, some reactors located on rivers for cooling have to reduce their production in this summer, which is characterized by heat waves, in order not to heat the water bodies additionally. According to data from the nuclear power plant operator EdF, almost 30 percent of the nuclear power capacities were not connected to the grid at the end of August.
The electricity prices in France are therefore at a record rate of more than 1000 euros per megawatt hour. A year ago they were still around 70 euros per megawatt hour. “The skyrocketing electricity costs are a threat to the economy,” says Norbert Rücker, Head of Economics & Next Generation at Bankhaus Julius Baer. France’s nuclear power plant situation could pose a greater challenge than Russia’s gas cuts. EdF’s plans envisage that the electricity production of the nuclear power plants will increase to around 50 gigawatts a day by December – from the current 27 gigawatts. Some experts consider this to be overly optimistic.
“Outlook for the winter worrying”
In an average year, the country’s nuclear power plants produce around 400 terawatt hours of electricity. About ten percent of this goes abroad in warm months. On particularly cold winter days, France imports electricity from abroad, especially from Germany. This year looks different. EdF expects production of 280 to 300 terawatt hours – the lowest value since 1993. In the summer France even imported electricity from Germany and Belgium – at a time when EdF normally exports electricity.
“The prospects for the winter are worrying,” says Parisian energy expert Mycle Schneider. Six analysts polled by Reuters think EdF’s forecasts are too high. This is especially true at the end of January. France may have to import electricity at a time when energy is already scarce in Europe. EdF has already had to correct its forecasts for the electricity production of the nuclear power plants downwards several times this year. EdF boss Jean-Bernard Levy promised that the group would do everything possible to avoid further blackouts.