2023-07-14 14:44:17
One or two reactors at the Bugey nuclear power plant (Ain) could be shut down this weekend. Due to the heat wave expected this weekend, which therefore raises the temperature of the Rhône, EDF plans to reduce nuclear production at this plant, which has four reactors, AFP learned from the electrician.
The activity of the power stations, which pump and then discharge water from adjacent rivers (or the sea) is governed by limits on the heating of these rivers, thresholds specific to each site aimed at preserving wildlife and the environment. ‘environment.
The Rhône also reached high temperatures near the Saint-Alban power station (Isère), but they remain within the authorized limits. But on this site, the production of the only reactor in operation – the second being in maintenance – cannot be lowered, the manager of the electricity network RTE having requested that 1,300 MW of production be maintained.
“Limited” production losses
This is the first time since the beginning of the summer that production could be lowered in the face of rising temperatures in the river. In the summer of 2022, the second hottest ever measured after 2003, EDF had for the first time benefited from an exemption regime on two sites (Golfech and Le Bugey) to continue to produce beyond the temperature rise thresholds.
For several years, in a context of global warming, EDF has had to adjust its production, sometimes in the spring, to comply with discharge limits. According to the group, since 2000, production losses due to high temperature and low river flow have represented an average of 0.3% of the annual production of the nuclear fleet.
In 2022, these production losses “have been limited” to around 0.5 TWh (less than 0.2% of annual production). “The reinforced environmental monitoring put in place did not reveal any particular impact over this period”, assures the national producer.
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