The renewable energy strike began on Friday afternoon March 3 with cuts in electricity production in several nuclear power plants, “taking into account the debate which opens in the Senate” on article 1 concerning the abolition of special pension schemes, announced the CGT.
In these conditions “EDF agents from nuclear power plants are going on strike and lowering electricity production this afternoon”, said the CGT. The EDF site listed load drops in several nuclear power plants.
Drops equivalent to a nuclear reactor
Those of Flamanville (Manche), Paluel (Seine-Maritime) and Saint-Alban (Isère) were affected by drops equivalent to a total of just over 1,000 MW, according to the EDF website, i.e. the power of a nuclear reactor, but the movement “aims to expand”according to the CGT.
“We have just called for generalization, including in hydraulics. It will be organized today, tonight and tomorrow Saturday “said Sébastien Ménesplier, general secretary of CGT Énergie.
“Put France to a standstill”
These reductions in production, closely supervised by the operator of the high and very high voltage line network RTE, generally do not lead to cuts for customers.
This movement was originally supposed to start on Monday evening, with a view to putting “France at a standstill” Tuesday. But the examination by the Senate, expected from Friday evening or even Saturday, of article 1 of the pension reform project relating to the abolition of special regimes, including that of electricians and gas workers, has set fire to the powder. The sector fears that this system will disappear and with it, in the long term, its protective status intended to compensate in particular for the time constraints of the profession.
The movement will last “minimum until 7 and maximum until winning”said Sébastien Ménesplier. “If Emmanuel Macron does not want a France at a standstill and a black week in energy, it would be better for him to withdraw his reform”he concluded.