EDF Warns of Lower Output Across Its Nuclear Reactors in France

The reduced outlook follows a spate of strikes by nuclear-plant workers that delayed maintenance work at some of its reactors during the fall, as well as prolonged outages at reactors under repair for corrosion problems, EDF said.

For now, Europe is benefiting from warm temperatures that are lowering demand for energy. It was the warmest month of October in France since records began in 1900, according to national weather agency Météo France. Tourists continued to flock to the seaside during the second half of the month, particularly to the country’s Mediterranean coast, where hotels and restaurants extended their season.

The agency said the most likely scenario for the next three months was “the predominance of anticyclonic conditions, with calm and dry weather, on the European continent.” France had a 50% chance of experiencing temperatures in line with seasonal norms, the agency said. It placed its chances of continuing to experience warmer-than-average temperatures at 30%.

Warm weather is helping blunt the impact of Russia’s decision to cut the flow of natural gas to Europe, a move European officials regard as an act of economic war. Storage levels of gas across the continent have remained high without the immediate need to turn up the thermostat.

EDF is one of Western Europe’s most important power companies. Its fleet of reactors normally exports large quantities of low-cost nuclear power to neighboring countries, helping stabilize prices across the region. EDF estimates that nuclear output for 2023 and 2024 will remain at 300 to 330 terawatt-hours and 315 to 345 terawatt-hours, respectively.

The situation changed drastically this year, when France swung from being one of Europe’s largest exporters of electricity to a net importer because of issues with its reactors. The outages worried officials that France and the broader region might run short of electricity in the winter, when power demand in Europe peaks.

EDF has absorbed huge losses this year because the company was forced to buy replacement power on Europe’s wholesale market, where prices have soared, for sale to retail clients at much lower prices. The government of President

Emmanuel Macron

launched a tender offer last month to buy the 16% of EDF shares that the state didn’t already own.

Write to Nick Kostov at [email protected]

The reduced outlook follows a spate of strikes by nuclear-plant workers that delayed maintenance work at some of its reactors during the fall, as well as prolonged outages at reactors under repair for corrosion problems, EDF said.

For now, Europe is benefiting from warm temperatures that are lowering demand for energy. It was the warmest month of October in France since records began in 1900, according to national weather agency Météo France. Tourists continued to flock to the seaside during the second half of the month, particularly to the country’s Mediterranean coast, where hotels and restaurants extended their season.

The agency said the most likely scenario for the next three months was “the predominance of anticyclonic conditions, with calm and dry weather, on the European continent.” France had a 50% chance of experiencing temperatures in line with seasonal norms, the agency said. It placed its chances of continuing to experience warmer-than-average temperatures at 30%.

Warm weather is helping blunt the impact of Russia’s decision to cut the flow of natural gas to Europe, a move European officials regard as an act of economic war. Storage levels of gas across the continent have remained high without the immediate need to turn up the thermostat.

EDF is one of Western Europe’s most important power companies. Its fleet of reactors normally exports large quantities of low-cost nuclear power to neighboring countries, helping stabilize prices across the region. EDF estimates that nuclear output for 2023 and 2024 will remain at 300 to 330 terawatt-hours and 315 to 345 terawatt-hours, respectively.

The situation changed drastically this year, when France swung from being one of Europe’s largest exporters of electricity to a net importer because of issues with its reactors. The outages worried officials that France and the broader region might run short of electricity in the winter, when power demand in Europe peaks.

EDF has absorbed huge losses this year because the company was forced to buy replacement power on Europe’s wholesale market, where prices have soared, for sale to retail clients at much lower prices. The government of President

Emmanuel Macron

launched a tender offer last month to buy the 16% of EDF shares that the state didn’t already own.

Write to Nick Kostov at [email protected]