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EDF cuts 2022 nuclear output target to 295-315 TWh
(Montel) EDF has cut its 2022 nuclear production target to a new record low of 295-315 TWh, down from an estimate of 300-330 TWh last month due to ongoing safety checks of its nuclear fleet.
Writing by: Muriel Boselli
The output target for 2023, currently at 340-370 TWh, would also be updated “as soon as possible”, EDF added in a statement late on Monday.
The French utility, meanwhile, extended outages at Penly 1 (1.3 GW) and Chooz 1 (1. 5 GW) by five months to 31 October and 31 December, respectively, this morning due to ongoing checks of the units’ safety injection system circuits.
EDF warned the outages could be extended.
5 reactors affected
So far, inspections have revealed cracks, due to stress corrosion, on the safety injection systems at four reactors at Chooz 1, Civaux 1 (1.5 GW), Civaux 2 (1.5 GW) and Penly 1.
Earlier, the utility found the same issues at Chooz 2 (1.5 GW) and was looking for technical solutions, with the firm planning to probe all 56 reactors.
The firm might have to shut down more reactors to carry out the safety checks, chairman of France’s ASN nuclear safety authority, Bernard Doroszczuk, warned last month.
The safety injection system allows water to be injected into the reactor core to prevent a meltdown in the event of an accident involving a loss of cooling.
Updates story published at 07:09 CET with more details.