According to the French Energy Minister, this winter, EDF, the country’s state-owned utility, will restart all of its nuclear reactors, more than half of which are currently shut down for maintenance or technical difficulties. Pannier-Runacher (Minister of Energy) spoke after a special cabinet meeting called by President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the nation’s energy supply status, coordinate efforts to minimise usage, and create backup plans in case a shortfall occurs. According to Agnes Pannier-Runacher, EDF has promised to restart all of its reactors this winter.
The market is concerned that France, once Europe’s top power exporter, may not produce enough nuclear energy this winter to assist European neighbours looking for alternatives to Russian gas, and may even have to ration electricity to meet its own needs. As a result, French power prices have soared to historic highs.
French gas storage facilities are currently 92% full, according to Pannier-Runacher, who also noted that despite Russian gas deliveries being at their lowest point right now, they have not fully ceased. Although the energy situation is critical, she stated, “we have pulled every trigger to get through the winter.”
