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France: EDF strikers impact electricity production

The strike against pension reform led to a drop in electricity production of almost 4,500 MW in nuclear and coal-fired power plants. However, users should not suffer any power cuts, according to RTE.

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On Monday and Tuesday, EDF strikers began a reduction in electricity production of nearly 4,500 MW, equivalent to more than four nuclear reactors, in protest against the pension reform project.

 

Impact on nuclear power plants

The Paluel and Dampierre nuclear power plants, as well as the Cordemais coal-fired power plant and the Martigues thermal power plant, were affected by the strikes with “high rates of strikers” and “filtering at the entrance to the sites”, according to Fabrice Coudour, federal secretary of the FNME-CGT.

At the Chinon power plant, strikers have delayed the planned disconnection of reactor number 1 for maintenance, which will postpone the planned work period until October.

 

No disconnection for users

The production cuts are supervised by RTE, the high-voltage line manager, and should not normally result in power cuts for users. If RTE considers that production cuts are likely to lead to blackouts, it can send safety messages to the strikers, who are responsible for complying with them.

 

Filtering barriers at Storengy’s gas storage plant

The underground gas storage site at Gournay-sur-Aronde belonging to Storengy, a subsidiary of Engie, is also the subject of roadblocks in protest against the government’s desire to increase the legal retirement age. At this stage, “there is no specific action” on the facilities and “the entry and exit of gas will be normal,” according to Frederic Ben, head of the gas sector at the FNME-CGT. However, Storengy employees who wish to work are free to enter the site.

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