Belleville nuclear in France undergoing generator maintenance

subscribe

French utility Electricite de France is performing maintenance work on the generator of one of its two 1,310-megawatt (MW) units at the Centrale Nucleaire de Belleville plant in Lere in central France.

The plant is equipped with two Framatome cold-cooling-system nuclear reactors, both commissioned between 1988 and 1989. It is one of 19 nuclear sites in France, with two of the country's 58 operational reactors.

Work on the generator's stator, which is being performed on Unit 2, began on May 23 and is expected to last about 65 days. In August, the unit will undergo its second statutory outage since its commissioning in 1989. During this inspection, which is performed every 10 years, authorities carry out several controls that allow the facility to continue operating under legal safety requirements. Some of the required controls are the hydraulic proofs of the primary circuit and a checkup of the reactor's vessel.

Unit 1 is expected to be offline for refueling for 12-18 months after Unit 2's planned outages. Unit 1 is scheduled to have its 10-year inspection and maintenance in March 2010.

The work on the generator, to be executed by Alstom, are part of what French authorities called a "relaunch plan" for the country's, where EDF has several projects. Therefore, a rewind of generators was also announced for Unit 1 of the Blayais Nuclear Power Station and for the Nogent Nuclear Power Plant. The unit at the Blayais plant recently had its steam generators replaced.

Regarding investments in installed base-load capacity, 2009 also represents an important year for EDF, which continues with plans to build a second European pressurized reactor (EPR). The first is Flamanville 3, which is currently under construction. It was recently reported that Total SA would join GDF Suez SA to hold 33% of the construction of the second EPR project in Penly.

Related News

The Transient Test Reactor

Perry presses ahead on advanced nuclear reactors

WASHINGTON - Energy Secretary Rick Perry is advancing plans to shift the United States towards the next generation of nuclear reactors.

The Energy Department announced this week it has launched a new test facility at the Idaho National Laboratory where private companies can work on advanced nuclear technologies, to avoid the high costs and waste and safety concerns facing traditional nuclear power plants.

“[The National Reactor Innovation Center] will enable the demonstration and deployment of advanced reactors that will define the future of nuclear energy,” Perry said.

With climate change concerns growing, some Republicans and Democrats are arguing for the need for more…

READ MORE
australia power reserves

Australian operator warns of reduced power reserves

READ MORE

Duke Energy Florida's smart-thinking grid improves response, power restoration for customers during Hurricane Ian

READ MORE

hydro one logo

Ontario's electricity 'recovery rate' could lead to higher hydro bills

READ MORE

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Germany extends nuclear power amid energy crisis

READ MORE