EDF posts record loss in France due to reactor outages
France's EDF has reported record annual losses of EUR17.9 billion (USD19.0 billion) for 2022, largely due to nuclear power reactor outages in its French fleet for maintenance and repair work. However, output from the company's UK fleet of reactors increased last year.
In France, state-controlled EDF's nuclear output dropped by 30% in 2022, to 279 TWh, as more than half of its 56 reactors were taken offline for repairs which had been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, the 16 reactors most affected by stress corrosion issues (four N4-series 1450 MWe reactors and twelve P4-series 1300 MWe reactors) were identified, 10 of which have now been or are currently being repaired. The company noted that 43 of its 56 reactors are currently operational, compared with 30 reactors as of 1 November.
"The decrease is explained by a lower nuclear fleet availability, mainly attributable to inspections and repairs of reactor circuits after signs of stress corrosion were detected, despite the lower number of unplanned outages, an optimised generation schedule, and a great commitment from the teams in charge of inspections and repairs at the reactors affected by stress corrosion," EDF said.
