France’s EDF Delays Restart of Nuclear Reactors in Blow to Energy Supply
- Plant maintenance this year has left EU more dependent on gas
- French atomic fleet is running at about two-thirds of capacity
This article is for subscribers only.
Electricite de France SA extended maintenance halts at two nuclear reactors by four months and warned it may have to carry out lengthy repairs at seven others next year, further straining European power supplies.
The world’s largest nuclear fleet has suffered prolonged shutdowns this year that have left Europe even more reliant on natural gas at a time of record prices. While EDF has returned many units to service in recent weeks, its aging plants look set to run far below optimal capacity this winter. That could worsen an energy supply crisis that’s already cost Europe $1 trillion to try to contain.