EDF Delays Start of Two French Reactors as Maintenance Drags on

(Bloomberg) -- Electricite de France SA delayed the start of two nuclear reactors as repairs are taking longer than expected. 

The Chooz-1 unit is now due to start on Feb 28, a month later than planned, while Blayais-1 was delayed by 10 days to Feb. 11, according to data submitted to the grid.

The prolonged outages will set back the recovery of the nation’s nuclear capacity just when those reactors are needed the most as demand peaks in winter. Availability at EDF’s nuclear fleet has recovered in recent weeks and is near the highest level in a year. 

Output last year was ravaged by outages and nuclear generation plunged as much as 23%. Mild and windy weather during the winter is also bringing some relief to France and surrounding power markets. 

French Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said on France’s Info radio Friday that she’s “confident in our ability to go through the winter, but we have to remain vigilant.” 

Meanwhile, supply is coming under some additional pressure after the Cordemais coal-fired plant halted with workers on strike to protect jobs and to push for a plan to make the power station carbon neutral.

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