EDF is continuing its inspection programme and is preparing, along with the nuclear industry, to repair sections of the pipes affected by stress corrosion. At this stage for 2022, EDF considers that it is not necessary to schedule new reactor outages and updates its French nuclear output estimate. Twelve reactors, currently shut down, are being inspected for stress corrosion: Result of the metallurgical expertises carried out on samples taken from the pipes of the auxiliary circuits of the reactors of Civaux 1, Chooz 1 and Penly 1 confirmed the presence of stress corrosion near welds of the RIS (safety injection circuit) and RRA (shutdown reactor cooling circuit) circuits. Checks and expertises carried out on Chinon B3 confirm the absence of stress corrosion on the SIS circuit. Evidence of stress corrosion was located on a weld of the RRA circuit. Checks and investigations are ongoing on the other eight prioritized reactors (Civaux 2, Chooz 2, Cattenom 3, Bugey 3, Bugey 4, Flamanville 1, Flamanville 2 and Golfech 1). EDF carried out ultrasonic inspections, investigations on pipes samples, digital welding simulations and studies to calculate the speed of propagation of stress corrosion. At this stage, these analyses allow EDF to confirm slow stress-corrosion propagation and to observe the existence of a compression zone which blocks the propagation of the phenomenon. EDF has defined an inspection programme for the entire nuclear fleet: In 2022, 900MW reactors will be inspected as part of their ten-year inspection visits. This concerns Tricastin 3, Gravelines 3, Dampierre 2, Blayais 1, and Saint-Laurent B2 reactors. The inspection programme for the 1,300MW reactors will be established after integrating the lessons learned from the appraisals and checks in progress on the auxiliary circuits of the Penly 1 reactor. At this stage for 2022, EDF considers that new reactor outages do not need to be scheduled to carry out checks. Discussions are ongoing with the Autorité de sûreté nucléaire (French Nuclear Safety Authority) on the stress corrosion phenomenon inspection and repair programme. The nuclear industry is making an unprecedented, concerted effort to replace the portions of the pipes affected by stress corrosion. EDF has started to procure tubes and elbows from European steelmakers. Production rates have been optimised to deliver the first spare parts before summer. All of the qualified suppliers to carry out these activities are now preparing for the work. Dozens of welders have been specially trained to guarantee high-quality workmanship. In view of all of these aspects and EDF’s decision to shut down impacted reactors and inspect the reactors likely to be impacted, ASN took note of EDF’s actions. All of these events require EDF to adjust its French nuclear output estimate for 2022 to 280-300TWh against 295-315TWh previously. At this stage and in the expectation of checks and repairs to be completed, the 2023 French nuclear output estimate is not changed (300-330TWh).
EDF 19th May 2022 read more »
Shares in EDF fell 1.8% on Thursday after the French utility warned outages at its nuclear power plants would result in a steeper-than-expected cut in power output and thus have a greater than previously estimated impact on 2022 core earnings. EDF said the impact of the outages largely related to a program of inspections and repairs the company is carrying out on some of its reactors would have a negative impact of around 18.5 billion euros on the group’s core earnings this year instead of the 14 billion euros previously forecast.
Financial Post 19th May 2022 read more »
Nuclear: seven questions about the industrial disaster that threatens EDF. While the electricity supply is at risk for this winter, EDF is still revising its production forecast downwards. At the origin of its difficulties, microcracks located in a sensitive area of the reactor. Extensive work is needed on the park. How low will EDF’s nuclear production go? Given the number of reactors affected by corrosion and the scale of the work in progress, the energy company has further revised its electricity production forecast downwards in 2022. It is now counting on production of between 280 and 300 TWh against 295 and 315 TWh expected so far. Unheard of since the end of the construction of the French reactor fleet. Consequently, EDF has also revised its revenue outlook downwards. In 2022, it is counting on a fall in its gross operating surplus (EBITDA) linked to the collapse of its nuclear production of 18.5 billion euros, against 14 billion estimated previously. Overview of the main questions raised by this unprecedented industrial disaster.
Les Echos 19th May 2022 read more »
The French nuclear power operator EDF says that the programme of inspections and repairs related to the stress corrosion issue means it has increased the hit it expects to take to its earnings by a further EUR4.5 billion (USD4.7 million) from the EUR14 billion estimated at the start of May.
World Nuclear News 19th May 2022 read more »