Protests against the French government’s plans to raise the retirement age had a quiet impact on the energy sector on Thursday, the first day of 48-hour strikes slashing hydroelectric power output and restricting the supply of electricity. some refineries.
In electricity, the supply of the Belleville 1 nuclear reactor was reduced by 1 gigawatt (GW) due to the strike, data from operator EDF showed. Hydropower supply was unaffected after previously falling by 1.7GW, according to the data.
That compares to a sharp drop in power output during a national strike day on January 19, when output dropped by around 6.6GW, roughly 10% of the country’s total, forcing France to import power from neighbors.
Spot electricity prices for Friday (27th) rose slightly, with an expected drop in demand and an increase in wind supply offsetting some uncertainties related to the two-day union strike.
In oil refineries, strike participation also decreased, although deliveries were partially interrupted.
A survey by Elabe for the BFM showed that 72% of French people are against pension reform. It is too soon to say who will win the confrontation between unions and government.
More than a million people marched through French cities on January 19. A second national day of strikes, in all sectors, is planned for January 31st.
Source: CNN Brasil
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