In times of energy crisis, a significant number of French nuclear reactors have been shut down. Is France on the brink of a power outage?
At a time when the public debate is intensifying in Germany about a possible extension of the operation of the nuclear reactors with the aim of ensuring energy sufficiency in the winter, the leader of K.O. Christian Dier of the Liberals believes that France has one foot in an energy crisis. The vice president of the German parliament, Kathryn Göring-Eckart, is more specific, stating that the French nuclear reactors are facing a problem with the cooling system.
More than half of France’s nuclear reactors have been shut down. A representative of the energy group EDF admits to the German news agency that only 27 of the 56 nuclear reactors are operating today and attributes this development to necessary maintenance work, which was not done during the pandemic. In addition, some nuclear plants have been shut down due to cracks. The representative of the group, however, does not say a word about possible problems with the cooling of the reactors. Energy Minister Agnes Panier-Rinasse announced on LCI television last Wednesday that 18 nuclear plants will be restarted within the next few weeks.
Power generation from reactors was curtailed
According to the EDF company, it is normal for some reactors not to produce electricity for a certain period of time. However, because the number of nuclear plants out of operation is significant, the French electricity group revised down its forecasts for this year’s electricity production from 300- 330 at 295 – 315 terawatt hours.
The shutdown of a significant number of reactors has already been felt. According to a publication by the French Ministry of Energy, electricity production in the first quarter of this year was reduced by 7.5%. At the same time, French electricity imports increased significantly, the ministry said.
France and Germany import electricity from each other. According to statistics from the Federal Network Agency, between April and June Germany imported 1.7 terawatt-hours of electricity from France, corresponding to about 1.5% of electricity consumption in this period. By comparison, in the second quarter of 2021 net electricity exports from Germany to France were at least five times higher, according to the German Grid Agency.
100% fullness of natural gas tanks in November
According to statistics, Germany exported more electricity to France in June than it imported from the neighboring country. In the last two years in the same month it has been exactly the reverse, with France exporting more electricity to Germany. It is interesting that compared to last year, France imported more electricity than Germany in this winter months.
According to the French Ministry of Energy, increased electricity imports are much more limited than natural gas and oil imports. The relevant ministry’s data for May show that this year’s imports remained more or less the same as last year. However, the French Minister Agnies Panier-Rinasse announced that France is on schedule regarding the fullness of natural gas tanks, which are currently at 75% and will reach 100% in November.
Rachel Bossmeier, dpa
Editor: Stefanos Georgakopoulos
Source: Deutsche Welle
Source: Capital
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