EDF Energy, the UK subsidiary of the French electrician, announced Monday, August 11 the sudden suspension of four nuclear reactors in northern England, representing a quarter of its generating capacity in Britain. She took the unusual step after detecting a malfunction in one of its boilers.
The problem was first discovered last year in the central Heysham, north-western England. A routine ultrasound revealed an “unexpected result” in one of the eight boilers reactor. This was back in service at the beginning of the year, at reduced power, but EDF Energy has decided to conduct further tests. Begun in June, they have “confirmed the presence of a fault.”
PRECAUTION
The company has detected no similar problem on its other plants, but the anomaly is worrying enough for her to choose to switch off the four reactors are of the same design, two Heysham and Hartlepool two (north-east England). The suspension is provided for an estimated eight weeks period, the time for further investigation.
The defect concerns the central support of the boiler ( “boiler spine” ) . This piece supports the various tubes that are installed. EDF Energy will ensure the safety of its plants is not questioned, and that their temporary suspension is a precautionary measure.
For the company, this decision will have significant financial consequences. For the second half, it lowered its full power generation by almost 9% to 30.1 Terawatt-hours.
disappointments STANDARD FOR EDF
This problem adds to the long list of problems from the 2008 acquisition by EDF of the British nuclear fleet, which produces 20% of the country’s electricity. At the time, the French electrician had two goals. The first was to get land to build new plants, EPR (Flamanville like that). After many delays and significant cost increases, the decision to invest was made last year for the first two reactors, with the help of Chinese companies. The company is now awaiting the green light from the European Commission, which must decide whether the support provided by the British government in this project or does not constitute state aid.
Explanations: Nuclear: five lessons that EDF will sign the contract in the UK
The second objective was to improve the operation of fifteen existing reactors, mostly aging. From this point of view, EDF Energy has increased its disappointments. A leak in the cooling system at Dungeness, and problems at Heysham and Sizewell had a bad year in 2010. Since then, progress was finally the appointment. Last year was the best for eight years in terms of production.
EXTEND THE LIFE OF PLANTS
EDF also works to extending the life of plants. Currently, Heysham and Hartlepool, both suspended on Monday, should be closed in 2019, but EDF hopes to get another five years. Then four reactors must arrive at the end of operation in 2023, the year the new EPR plant is expected to enter service. This would avoid too sharp fall in revenue. Finally, the last two reactors remain: one that should be extended to ten years to bring it to 2028, and another planned for 2035
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