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Reuters: Possible defects at French reactor lift European power prices
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/report-defects-french-nuclear-reactor-civaux-2-lifts-european-power-market-2025-06-11/Possible defects at French reactor lift European power prices
By Forrest Crellin
June 11, 2025 10:06 AM EDT
Summary
…
Operator EDF dealt with stress corrosion cracks in the same reactor less than three years ago, when corrosion in multiple reactors nationwide forced nuclear output in France to a 34-year low and sent prices skyrocketing.
A spokesperson for EDF said an inspection was underway at Civaux 2 as part of annual maintenance and the utility did not yet have the results.
…
Risks to the French nuclear fleet were the main driver for gas demand on Wednesday, a trader told Reuters.
…
By Forrest Crellin
June 11, 2025 10:06 AM EDT
Summary
- Watchdog finds possible defects at France's Civaux 2 reactor
- Says no confirmation of corrosion, more tests needed
- French front-year baseload contract briefly hit four month high
…
Operator EDF dealt with stress corrosion cracks in the same reactor less than three years ago, when corrosion in multiple reactors nationwide forced nuclear output in France to a 34-year low and sent prices skyrocketing.
A spokesperson for EDF said an inspection was underway at Civaux 2 as part of annual maintenance and the utility did not yet have the results.
…
Risks to the French nuclear fleet were the main driver for gas demand on Wednesday, a trader told Reuters.
…
2 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
https://www.neimagazine.com/news/stress-corrosion-concerns-resurface-at-civaux-2/
Stress corrosion concerns resurface at Civaux 2
June 12, 2025
The French Nuclear Safety & Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR – L’Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire et de Radioprotection) has found “hints” of stress corrosion at unit 2 of EDF’s Civaux NPP, according to a report in La Tribune. The phenomenon has been observed on pipes that have already been repaired.
EDF had to close some of its fleet between 2022 and 2023 due to stress corrosion problems found in the pipes of safety systems at multiple reactors resulting a 34% reduction in output and costly repairs. Reuters cited an EDF spokesperson as saying that an inspection is underway at Civaux 2 in order to perform annual maintenance.
No one can say or affirm that we will not find new corrosion problems, Bernard Doroszczuk, former president Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) said during his last hearing before the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific & Technological Choices (OPECST), in May 2024. “Don’t let your guard down.”
La Tribune said EDF teams could, once again, face a stress corrosion problem at Civaux 2 with respect to sections of pipes and, more particularly, the components that have already been changed, citing “a source close to the case”. The source added that the question of a prolonged technical shutdown is possible. The 1,450 MWe Civaux 2 is currently as part of a scheduled maintenance and refuelling outage.
June 12, 2025
The French Nuclear Safety & Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR – L’Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire et de Radioprotection) has found “hints” of stress corrosion at unit 2 of EDF’s Civaux NPP, according to a report in La Tribune. The phenomenon has been observed on pipes that have already been repaired.
EDF had to close some of its fleet between 2022 and 2023 due to stress corrosion problems found in the pipes of safety systems at multiple reactors resulting a 34% reduction in output and costly repairs. Reuters cited an EDF spokesperson as saying that an inspection is underway at Civaux 2 in order to perform annual maintenance.
No one can say or affirm that we will not find new corrosion problems, Bernard Doroszczuk, former president Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) said during his last hearing before the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific & Technological Choices (OPECST), in May 2024. “Don’t let your guard down.”
La Tribune said EDF teams could, once again, face a stress corrosion problem at Civaux 2 with respect to sections of pipes and, more particularly, the components that have already been changed, citing “a source close to the case”. The source added that the question of a prolonged technical shutdown is possible. The 1,450 MWe Civaux 2 is currently as part of a scheduled maintenance and refuelling outage.