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All French nuclear reactors to be back on line by the winter

In an effort to lessen the energy supply crisis, utilities giant EDF has committed itself to bringing back into service by this coming winter all 32 of its 56 reactors in France that have been shut down for maintenance and repairs, energy transition minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher said on Friday. 

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

France’s minister for energy transition said Friday that French electricity giant EDF has committed to restart all its nuclear reactors by this winter to help the country through the broad energy crisis aggravated by the war in Ukraine, reports FRANCE 24.

Agnès Pannier-Runacher said the government is taking steps to “avoid restrictive measures” over energy use in the peak winter cold season, following a special government meeting over energy issues.

France relies on nuclear energy for about 67% of its electricity – more than any other country – and on gas for about 7%.

At the moment, 32 of France's 56 nuclear reactors, all operated by EDF, are shut down for usual maintenance and, in some cases, to repair corrosion problems.

“There’s a schedule that provides that starting from October, each week, a new [nuclear] plant is operational again,” Pannier-Runacher said.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne had warned that a worst-case scenario this winter could lead to rolling two-hour power cuts in French homes.

See more of this report and video from FRANCE 24.