French nuclear power struggles in a cold snap

subscribe

France, which gets 85% of its electricity from nuclear power, has long been proud of the systemÂ’s reliability and its benefits to French consumers, who pay some of the lowest electric rates in the world.

But the system also has shortcomings, as became evident when a cold snap sent electricity demand soaring.

RTE, the state-controlled electricity distribution network, is warning of possible blackouts in some regions because of unseasonably cold temperatures. “The electrical system is strained,” the group said in a recent press release. Although France frequently exports surplus power to neighboring countries, in recent days it has had to import from Germany.

A key reason for the problem is that eight of the country’s 58 nuclear reactors, all run by state utility Electricité de France, are shut down for maintenance and refueling. Why not schedule such routine tasks in spring or autumn, when demand is lower? Well, that was EDF’s plan – but the schedule was disrupted because of worker protests at some plants.

ThatÂ’s not the only problem. EDF has forecast that France this year will produce 9% less nuclear power than it did in 2008, mainly because of unscheduled shutdowns for repairs. As many as one-third of the utilityÂ’s reactors have been out of service simultaneously this year. EDFÂ’s new boss, Henri Proglio, admits that the systemÂ’s reliability has suffered in recent years because of under-investment in maintenance and new technologies.

At the same time, the countryÂ’s relatively low electric rates have encouraged consumers to use more electricity. Some 7 million French households have electric heating, far more than any other European country. When the temperature drops, quite naturally, they crank up the heat.

Is nuclear power to blame for these difficulties? Strictly speaking, no: Gas and coal-fired plants also can be unreliable if they arenÂ’t properly maintained. But FranceÂ’s near-total dependence on nuclear reactors, which require more-meticulous care and have to be restarted gradually after shutdowns, makes it especially vulnerable to such problems.

Related News

Ambitious clean energy target will mean lower electricity prices, modelling says

LONDON - The more ambitious a clean energy target is, the lower Australian wholesale electricity prices will be, according to new modelling by energy analysis firm RepuTex.

The Finkel review, released last month recommended the government introduce a clean energy target (CET), which it found would cut emissions from the national electricity market and put downward pressure on both wholesale and retail prices.

The Finkel review only modelled a CET that would cut emissions from the electricity sector by 28% below 2005 levels by 2030. But all available analysis has demonstrated that such a cut would not be enough to…

READ MORE
california wind turbines

Consumer choice has suddenly revolutionized the electricity business in California. But utilities are striking back

READ MORE

canada-faces-critical-crunch-electrical-supply

Canada Faces Critical Crunch in Electrical Supply

READ MORE

EIA expects solar and wind to be larger sources of U.S. electricity generation this summer

READ MORE

new-york-finalizes-contracts-for-renewable-projects

New York Finalizes Contracts for 23 Renewable Projects Totaling 2.3 GW

READ MORE