Frence Government On high alert
Why does France face the Biggest power cut risks this winter? ” Frence Government On high alert”.
What’s Happening?
France is bracing for possible power outages in the coming days as falling temperatures push up demand while state-controlled nuclear group EDF struggles to bring more production online.
What’s the problem with France?
France is one of the most nuclear-powered countries in the world, typically producing over 705 of its electricity with its fleet of 56 reactors and providing about 15% of Europe’s total power through exports. That has left France’s nuclear output at a 30-year low, forcing France to import electricity and prepare plans for possible blackouts as a cold snap fuels demand heat.
Why is maintenance problem this year?
While EDF normally has a number of its reactors offline for maintenance, it has had far more than usual this year fur to what is known as stress corrosion on pipes in some reactors. Years of under-investment in the nuclear sector means that there is precious little spare capacity to meet demand while reactors are offline for maintenance.
So what France is doing?
In the very short term, there is little that can be done to get more reactors online faster, leaving the government to plan for voluntary cuts at peak demand periods and limited forced blackouts. President Emmanuel Macron wants a new push in nuclear energy and has committed to building six new reactors at a cost his government estimated at nearly 55 billion.
Nuclear power in India –
Nuclear power is the fifth-largest source of electricity in India after coal, gas, hydroelectricity, and wind power. As of November 2020, India has 22 nuclear reactors in operation in 8 nuclear power plants, with a total installed capacity of 7,380 MW. Nuclear power contributes 3.11% of total power generation in India. In October 2010, Indiasrew up a plan to reach a nuclear power capacity of 63 GW in 2032.
However, following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, there have been numerous anti-nuclear protests at proposed nuclear power plant sites.
