French power company EDF has found faults in two nuclear reactors, prompting their shutdown — about 10% of France’s generation just went offline. This, in the midst of European energy crisis, is not good.

___

European power prices surged to record highs over the past couple of days after France announced the closure of four of its largest nuclear reactors. The crisis is further exacerbated by already very high prices of natural gas and cold temperatures. By the end of the month, most of the continent will endure below average temperatures, further increasing power demand.

#EnergyCrisis

https://watchers.news/2021/12/20/electricity-prices-europe-record-highs-december-2021/

Macron announces "Turn off your lights" as it becomes clear Russia will not continue providing gas:

"French President Emmanuel Macron warned his country’s people Thursday to prepare for a total cutoff of Russian natural gas by supporting alternatives, having public lights switched off at night and engaging in a period of nationwide energy “sobriety.”

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and ensuing sanctions have aggravated other factors driving up prices for energy and others goods. With no end in sight for the Ukraine war, Macron said, the French should brace themselves for costs to remain high.

“This war will continue,” he said in a televised interview marking France’s national holiday, Bastille Day. “The summer, early autumn will be very hard.”"

#France #EU #EnergyCrisis

https://nypost.com/2022/07/14/macron-turn-out-the-lights-brace-for-russian-gas-cutoff/

Europe is accelerating on its path to blackouts.

The Rhine is causing French nuclear plants to shut down, German power plants to reduce output, and petroleum refineries to stop operating — and EU was already at its tipping point with Russian gas.

#EnergyCrisis #Europe

French refinery strikes takes half of the nation’s refining capacity offline - forcing France’s largest sugar maker, Tereos, to curtail production

Diesel and petrol stations in France are running out of fuel, according to an industry union, as a refining strike takes its toll. The strike, which among others, took Total’s 240,000 bpd Gonfreville refinery offline as well as a couple of Exxon’s, was expected to conclude on Thursday…but Friday, reports came in that strikes were disrupting Total’s oil products refining and delivery for a fourth day — 60% of the nation’s total refining capacity.

“There is no need to rush to the station (for gas),” TotalEnergies said on Friday. Despite those affirmations, France’s largest sugar maker, Tereos, said it had to curtail production somewhat at some of its factories after Total advised it that it would not be able to supply it with any more diesel until the end of the week.

France was already battling a shortage of refined products, with Russia’s exports to Europe “falling” in recent months.

[ see previous post on biogas . . . ]

source: oilprice.com

#EnergyCrisis #France #EU

France trying desperately to restart nuclear reactors, but labor union strike delaying maintenace!

France generates roughly 70% of its electricity from a nuclear fleet of 56 reactors, all operated by EDF. However, many of them have been closed down for maintenance, some due to corrosion-related issues. Currently, only 31 units are reportedly operating. EDF has pledged to restart all shutdown reactors before winter to avoid power shortages in the country.

However, since October 6, there have been strikes among EDF employees involved in repair work at 19 reactors, delaying maintenance by several weeks.

Last month, the French national electricity grid operator RTE warned that it would not rule out the risk of blackouts this winter due to prolonged strikes halting the repair.

[this announcement, as it is revealed that UK was running drills about managing extended blackouts and resulting crises … it is clear what is planned for the #EnergyCrisis]

- iceagefarmer

src: https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/273030702/france-to-restart-nuclear-reactors---energy-ministry