Another blow for EDF. The group announces in a press release published this Thursday evening that it is revising its nuclear production estimate for the year 2022 downwards, due to a longer than expected shutdown of four reactors for corrosion problems, and due to a social movement, interrupted at the end of October after an agreement.
Until now, EDF planned to produce between 280 and 300 TWh (terawatt hours) in 2022. From now on, the range, which had already been lowered since the beginning of the year, should rather be between 275 and 285 TWh.
The four reactors concerned by an extended shutdown are Cattenom 1 and 3, Penly 2 and Chooz B1. The reopenings of Chooz B1 and Penly 2 have been postponed to January 29, while these reactors were to restart on November 13 and 23 respectively. Cattenom 1 and 3, which were originally scheduled to be relaunched on November 17 and December 11, saw their recovery postponed to February 26.
EDF did not comment on the possible financial impact on the group’s results. Last week, the energy giant estimated that the record decline in its electricity production would weigh up to 32 billion euros on its gross operating surplus (Ebitda), an accounting indicator of profitability.
Only 29 operational reactors
Its electricity production is indeed at a historically low level due to the unavailability of nearly half of the 56 reactors in the nuclear fleet – only 29 are operational -, shut down for planned maintenance or corrosion problems. suspected or proven. To make matters worse, the social movement in the fall in the power stations has led to reductions in nuclear production or postponements of work for certain reactors.
In mid-October, management had postponed the restart of five of them in the context of a strike for wages on certain sites, before an agreement was signed two weeks later.
Over the first nine months of the year, nuclear production in France amounted to 209.2 TWh, i.e. 59 TWh less than for the same period in 2021. The estimates for 2023 and 2024 are maintained, respectively 300-330 TWh and 315-345 TWh, specifies EDF this Thursday.