The French electric power group (EDF) said on the 4th local time that the company postponed the restart of four nuclear reactors. French media said that this may have an impact on France's future electricity supply.
EDF said on the same day that it would postpone the restart of the four nuclear reactors distributed in multiple locations, one in Schutz, one in Penley and two in Katnun. The restart was delayed due to corrosion problems in the reactor piping; meanwhile, new cracks were discovered at the nuclear reactors at Schutz and Katnun.
French media reported that strikes in October had already delayed EDF's timetable for restarting nuclear reactors, with new reactor pipeline corrosion problems making the restart "stalemate". The report predicts that 10 nuclear reactors may face another shutdown in January, double the number planned in early September.
French Minister of Economy and Finance Le Maire had previously carried out related energy planning based on the "optimistic" scenario of the nuclear power transmission system at the beginning of this year. But EDF's delay in restarting the nuclear reactors will create uncertainty over Le Maire's goals. Some analysts believe that EDF has "almost no room for manoeuvre" on related issues. At present, the company is still seeking to restart as many reactors as possible this winter to avoid affecting people's winter power consumption.
Electricity generation at EDF is currently at historically low levels. The company announced earlier this month that it would cut its nuclear power output for this year. The company did not comment on the possible financial impact of the cut in nuclear power production on results.
