By PARIS, Dec 17 (Reuters) – Strikes by workers protesting against a French nuclear reform plan reduced nuclear power generation by about 7.8 gigawatts (GW) and output from hydropower stations by 1.1 GW by 0821 GMT Thursday, data from power group EDF showed.
Eleven reactors are currently operating at limited capacity due to the strike, reducing available production by 7.75 GW. The strike is scheduled to end at 1500 GMT.
The disruption represented around 13.2% of available production capacity as of Thursday morning, data from RTE and EDF showed.
France was a net power importer during Thursday’s opening business hours, RTE data showed. Demand is forecast at around 63 GW, down on the day due to seasonally mild temperatures reducing the need for heating. The reform plan that provoked the strike involves splitting EDF between its nuclear and renewable energy activities, which unions fear would pave the way for the group to be dismantled and privatised.
Opposition Socialist parliamentarians said on Tuesday they would submit legislation calling for a referendum on the reform.
(Reporting by Forrest Crellin; Editing by Jan Harvey)
Source: Reuters
