A large crack due to corrosion has been discovered at one of the giant EDF’s nuclear power plants in France, raising questions about its production capabilities and adding to many previous setbacks.
Following the discovery of this crack, which was found in a shut down reactor in Seine-Maritime (North), France’s nuclear police officer, the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), called on the group to “revise its strategy to solve the problems which have plagued their power plants since the end of 2021.
Then a corrosion phenomenon in pipes critical to the safety of power plants was brought to light, forcing many reactors to be shut down for inspection and repair work.
The unprecedented industrial crisis that EDF suffered in 2021, accompanied by historic losses (17.9 billion euros in 2022) had raised concerns in France, where the share of electricity from nuclear power is the largest in the world.
Following ASN’s formal notification, EDF may need to carry out more extensive surveys and inspections on its nuclear fleet in France, making the availability of its production capacity (56 reactors) uncertain.
According to an ASN official, Julien Collet, the discovery of the rift at Penly in Seine-Maritime will result in an extension of shutdowns at other sites for controls, but there should be “no massive shutdowns”.
Currently, of the 16 newest reactors identified as the most vulnerable, 10 reactors still need to be checked and repaired in 2023.
For Karine Herviou, deputy director general of the IRSN, considered the scientific police of nuclear safety in France, the discovery of the large rift is “beyond acceptable for safety reasons”.
In 2021 “it was already a serious problem when we had 6 millimeter cracks”, today “at 23 millimeters it is very serious”, she added, referring to the risk of breaking and thus breaking out.
Established in 23 countries, EDF claims the rank of the world’s first nuclear operator. Two new generation EPR reactors are operational in China and more are planned in India or the UK, but their commissioning has been delayed.