Number of nuclear power plants in France. Nuclear power plants in the world: remakes and long-term construction. The consequences are felt all over the world

There are more than 400 operating nuclear power plants in the world. They are located in Japan, France, USA, South Korea, Ukraine and other countries. Which of these nuclear power plants is the most powerful and where is the largest and most powerful nuclear power plant in the world - this question is of interest to many. We will try to answer it.

Kashiwazaki –Kariva ranks first in the ranking of the largest power plants in the world. It is located in Japan in Niigata Prefecture. Its construction began in 1977, eight years later the station was ready.

The Kashiwazaki-Kariva power plant consists of seven reactors. Its power is 8212 MW... This figure makes it the most powerful and largest nuclear power plant in the world.

In 2007, an abnormal situation happened. Due to the earthquake, the operation of the nuclear power plant was stopped. Radiation contamination and fire occurred. Two years later, the reactors were started up again, but not in full. Management plans to return all reactors to service by 2019.

Fukushima

The power plant consisted of two parts called Fukushima-1 and Fukushima-2. They were not far from each other, so both facilities had to be closed due to high risks.

Fukushima - 1 is located on the territory of the prefecture of the same name near the city of Okuma in Japan. Its construction began in the mid-60s. The power plant was launched in 1971. After 40 years, the work of this huge enterprise was stopped. The cooling equipment of the reactors was damaged due to a strong tsunami and an earthquake. The management announced an emergency as the radiation levels were exceeded.

Fukushima - 2 is located near the city of Naraha. It was commissioned in 1982. Due to the accident, Fukushima - 2 also does not work.

Until 2011, the Fukushima nuclear power plant was considered the most powerful in the world. But due to a strong earthquake, some of the reactors melted and the power plant ceased to function.

At the moment, it is forbidden to approach the power plant closer than 10 km. This area is called the evacuation zone.

Nuclear power plant, which is located in South Korea, on the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan. All nuclear power plants are being built near large bodies of water, because the reactor needs cooling. They get it from water.

This large nuclear power plant was commissioned in 1978. Energy power is 6862 MW, it is provided by seven operating reactors.

The Corey power plant is constantly growing and renewing itself. At the moment, construction of two additional facilities is underway, which will increase the capacity of the nuclear power plant.

This power plant is located in Canada, in the Ontario region, in the city of Bruce County. Nearby is Lake Huron.

Bruce NPP is considered the favorite among all NPPs in North America, since its capacity is equal to 6232 MW... Eight nuclear reactors are operating normally.

The first reactor was built in 1978, the rest were constructed over the next eighteen years.

In the 90s, the operation of two reactors was frozen due to malfunctions. Their renovation lasted for several years. At the beginning of the century, the modernized reactors were launched.

Bruce NPP ranks second in terms of capacity in the world after Kashiwazaki-Kariva.

Zaporizhzhya NPP

This is the main operating nuclear power plant in Ukraine. It is located in a city called Energodar in the Zaporozhye region. Sometimes it is called the Energodar NPP.

Zaporizhzhya NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, it includes six reactors, the total capacity of which is equal to 6000 MW.

In 1984, the launch of the first unit started. After that, new reactors were opened every year, until 1987.

In 1989, it was decided to launch the fifth power unit. Then the modernization of the nuclear power plant was temporarily stopped, as a moratorium was introduced on the construction of nuclear reactors. In 1995, this law was canceled, and the sixth unit of the nuclear power plant was put into operation.

Hanul NPP (Ulchin)

Location - Gyeongsangbuk-do city in South Korea. NPP capacity is 5881 MW. This is the largest nuclear power plant in South Korea.

The ceremonial launch of the nuclear power plant took place in 1988. Then it was named Ulchin, in honor of the region of the same name. But in 2013 she changed her name to Hanul.

As of today, six blocks are successfully operating there. In 2018, it is planned to launch two more reactors, the construction of which has been going on for five long years.

Hanul is the eighth nuclear power plant in South Korea. And if we draw up a list of leading countries in terms of the number of active nuclear reactors, then South Korea would undoubtedly enter this list, taking fifth place.

Another pride of the South Korean nuclear industry is the Hanbit nuclear power plant. Its power is equal 5875 MW... Hanbit is only six units behind its older Korean sister, the Hanul NPP.

Hanbit NPP is located in Yongwan city, therefore it is often called Yongwan NPP.

Six water-water reactors PWR are operating in the normal mode. The reactors were launched from 1988 to 2002.

Gravelines is the largest nuclear power plant in France. Its power indicators are equal 5706 MW.

The nuclear power plant is located in a picturesque location on the North Sea coast, not far from the village of Dunkirk. The nuclear power plant includes six power units that were built over 11 years, in the period from 1974 to 1984.

The Gravelines NPP employs 1,600 thousand people every day, providing their country with energy.

France ranks second in the world in terms of the number of nuclear power plants, the palm is in the hands of the United States.

Palo verde

This is the most powerful nuclear power plant in the United States. It should be noted that this is the only station in the world that is located far from water bodies. If we look at the map, we are surprised to find that Palo Verde is a nuclear power plant in the desert. It is cooled by wastewater from the neighboring megacities.

Palo Verde began operations in 1988. Three reactors provide total power 4174 VMt.

Nuclear power plants are located all over the world. They not only provide megacities with energy, but also pose a threat. The most powerful and largest nuclear power plant is located in Japan.

Nuclear power in France is by far the main source of electricity. Nuclear power plants in France generate about 75% of electricity. A law passed under President François Hollande in 2015 calls for a reduction in the share of nuclear power to 50% by 2025.

One of Hollande's campaign promises was to shut down the country's oldest nuclear power plant, Fessenheim. It was commissioned back in 1977, and it has repeatedly experienced accidents and failures. In addition, this nuclear power plant is located in a seismic fault zone. The plant is due to close following the commissioning of the next generation reactor in Flamanville, scheduled for 2019. Workers at the Fessenheim nuclear power plant, meanwhile, with a demand to abandon the closure of the station.

“The share of nuclear energy in electricity production will be reduced to 50%. Everyone understands that in order to achieve this goal, we will close some reactors, and not one, which, by the way, has not yet been closed. Give me time to plan everything. Up to 17 reactors will be closed, ”said the most popular French minister, former TV presenter and renowned environmentalist Nicolas Hulot.

“If we want to achieve this goal, we will close a number of reactors depending on how much we reduce energy consumption and diversify its production,” he concluded.

Last week, Nicolas Hulot had a series of ambitious environmental measures as part of his “climate plan”. The minister bypassed the issue of phasing out the nuclear power plant, without telling how it is planned to reduce its share by 25% in electricity production. Many experts believe that it will be difficult to do this until 2025.

The aging French nuclear power plants, operated by the state-owned EDF, face many challenges - both safety and economics: huge investments are required to extend their service life.

At the same time, the ability to generate electricity in coal-fired nuclear power plants is dwindling. France plans to close the remaining four coal-fired power plants by 2022. And the development of renewable energy (for example, wind and solar energy) is complicated by technological challenges. There are problems, for example, associated with the storage of the generated energy.

“The announcement of the closure of 17 reactors, in my opinion, demonstrates that France is on the right track,” Gabriel Weiser, an activist and politician based in Fessenheim who advocates the closure of nuclear power plants, said in an interview with RFI. But, according to him, this does not mean that nuclear power will go down in history.

“A new reactor is due to open in Flamanville in a few years. That is, some reactors are planned to be closed, while others are being opened. I think that if the reactor at the Flamanville nuclear power plant is opened, other reactors will appear. And everything will continue, as if nothing had happened, as if there were no major accidents, as if there were no Chernobyl, Fukushima, ”the activist notes.

Nuclear power plant operator EDF said it would act in accordance with the government's energy program, declining to comment directly on Nicolas Hulot’s statement about the upcoming closure of the nuclear power plant.

In terms of the amount of energy generated by nuclear power plants, France ranks second in the world, and in terms of the share of nuclear energy - first in the world. France is the world's largest exporter of electricity.

France conducts active research in the field of nuclear energy. Possesses technologies for the production of reactors, the production and disposal of fuel. is being built in France.

France is at the forefront of the study of radiation, starting with the discovery of radioactivity by Antoine Becquerel, continued by such famous scientists as Pierre Curie and Marie Sklodowska-Curie, their daughter Irene Joliot-Curie and her husband Frederic Joliot-Curie.

The first industrial reactor in France was connected to the grid in 1959.

By the early 1970s, most of France's electricity was generated from oil. Also, some of the energy was imported. After the 1973 oil crisis, on March 6, 1974, a plan to reorganize the economy was announced, including the accelerated development of nuclear energy, up to the complete transfer of electricity generation to nuclear power plants. The plan called for the construction of 80 power units by 1985 and 170 power units by 2000.

Work on the first three power plants began in the same year, and 15 years later, 55 power units were already operating in France, comprising 18 nuclear power plants.

Electricity generation exceeds France's own needs by 20%. The surplus is exported, bringing the country about three billion euros annually (the fourth line in exports). The main buyers are Italy (the largest importer of electricity in Europe, most of which comes from France, its own nuclear power is prohibited by law), Great Britain, Switzerland and Spain. Perhaps, Germany will soon be added to them, which has embarked on a course to eliminate its own nuclear energy.

The retail price of electricity in France, even with subsidized tariffs for wind and solar energy, is not low. For a medium-sized industry, it is 90% of the average price in the European Union, for private clients - 50% (from 1.86 euros per kilowatt * hour at peak times, 0.86 euro cents at night from 1.00 to 6.00).

France's reactors are operated by Électricité de France, France's largest power generation company and the world's largest nuclear power plant operator, 85% of which is owned by the state.

The reactors are designed and maintained by AREVA, formed in 2001 through the merger of CEA, Framatome (now Areva NP), and Cogema (now Areva NC). The main shareholder of the company is the French State Atomic Energy Commissariat. The only company represented in all activities related to the production of nuclear energy.

The first 8 reactors in France were of the gas-cooled type, developed by the CEA. All gas-cooled reactors are now completely decommissioned.

Together with the uranium enrichment program, EdF developed the pressurized water reactor technology, which has become the main type for French reactors. All operating reactors in France are of the second generation, and have a very high degree of standardization, divided into only three types:

Construction of the first reactor of the third generation EPR (nuclear reactor) (English) in Flamanville stalled, facing "organizational and economic difficulties."

Since most of the reactors in France were built in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and the initial service life of the second generation reactors was planned at 30-40 years, France was faced with the question of the future of these reactors. The service life was extended twice by 10 years, during the second and third 10-year inspections, followed by a 4-month shutdown of the reactors.

France (through its company Areva) is actively investing in the modernization and expansion of its plants for conversion, enrichment, production of uranium and MOX fuel, reprocessing of spent uranium, and soon MOX fuel. Stores components of future fuel for the projected fourth generation reactors. Expands its share in the fuel market by concluding long-term contracts with other countries, in particular with Japan and South Korea.

Superphenix.

Reactors of the fourth generation will significantly expand the fuel base of the nuclear power industry, more efficiently burn fuel, including actinides, and minimize radioactive waste by organizing a closed nuclear fuel cycle.

Until the early 1950s. the country was characterized by a coal balance: the share of coal in total primary energy consumption reached 80% 1. After World War II, the use of oil and petroleum products increased due to the growing demand for energy in the context of accelerated economic development and a decrease in coal production. As a result, in the early 1970s. oil accounted for about 70% of the country's primary energy consumption.

After the energy crises of the 1970s. there was an increase in the share of electricity and gas in primary energy consumption, while the value of oil decreased significantly. In recent years, there has been an increase in the role of renewable energy sources (see table 1).

About 30% of the national energy consumption is accounted for by transport (over the past 40 years it has almost doubled and reached 48.8 million tons of oil equivalent in 2014), 28% - by the residential sector. The volume of energy consumption by industry in 1973-2014 decreased by almost 1.7 times, primarily due to the decline in ferrous metallurgy (see table 2).

In the early 1970s. The main sources of energy for the industry were oil and coal, now it consumes mainly gas and electricity 3 (30% of the total energy consumption by the industrial sector). The share of coal, oil and energy from renewable sources (excluding electricity) is 18, 8 and 6%, respectively. 2 Oil remains the main source of energy for transport, while the share of biofuels is 6% 3. Residential and tertiary oil consumption has been declining since 1980 in favor of gas and electricity; energy consumption from renewable sources is growing rapidly. Agriculture predominantly uses petroleum products (74% of total energy consumption in 2014); gas and energy from renewable sources account for 7 and 3%, respectively.

In general, per capita energy consumption in France is 3.84 million tonnes of oil equivalent per year, which is significantly lower than the OECD average (4.2 million tonnes), but higher than the world average (1.9 million tonnes).

The state is concerned about maintaining the level of energy independence of the country, which means the ratio between the production of primary energy and its consumption in the current year.

Table 3 shows that France is fully self-sufficient in electricity and renewable energy. For other types of primary energy, the level of energy independence of the country tends to zero, which is associated with very low reserves and production of the corresponding energy carriers. 4 The energy intensity of the economy is 120.6 kg of oil equivalent per 1,000 euros of GDP, which is slightly higher than in the euro area countries on average (117.5 kg) 6.

Leading French companies working in the energy sector - Total, EDF, GDF Suez (since April 24, 2015 Engie), Areva.

Total is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world, one of the three world leaders in the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and is present at all stages of its production and marketing.

EDF is the largest electricity producer in France (623.3 TWh in 2014) and a leading operator of nuclear power plants in the world. The capacity of the company's power plants is 136.2 GW (as of December 31, 2014), including nuclear, thermal and hydroelectric power plants - 72.9, 35 and 28.3 GW, respectively. EDF's capital was opened on November 21, 2005, at present the state's share is 84.49% (as of 05/01/2015) .7 In recent years, the company has diversified its energy production, and also seeks to expand the use of renewable energy sources.

GDF Suez was formed in 2008 through the merger of Gaz de France and Suez. The company operates primarily in the gas industry, electricity and energy services. In recent years, it has been expanding its presence in fast-growing markets and diversifying its activities by developing in the electricity and energy services. It also strives to increase its own gas production in order to stabilize supplies and mitigate price fluctuations, develops infrastructure (in particular, builds gas pipelines) and expands its activities in the liquefied natural gas segment (the most dynamic in the gas industry). The state owns 33.2% of the company's capital, other shareholders - each no more than 5%.

The Areva group was formed in 2001 through the merger of Framatome (now Areva NP), the Siemens nuclear business, Cogema (now Areva NC) and Technicatome (now Areva TA). Currently, it is one of the world leaders in nuclear energy, the only company in the world present in every part of the nuclear fuel cycle. Areva plans to strengthen cooperation with its main competitor, the EDF group, and expand its presence in China. The state owns 28.8% of Areva's capital, the Atomic Energy Commission and 5 alternative energy sources (CEA) - 54.4%, KIA and BPI - 4.8 and 3.3%, respectively.

Since 1997, within the framework of the EU energy market liberalization program, attempts have been made to reform the French energy market in two general directions: the creation of a competitive supplier market and the demonopolization of traditional suppliers of electricity and gas. However, even now EDF, the largest electricity producer in France, accounts for over 90% of the national electricity market, and about 90% of gas consumers choose GDF. Thus, the French energy market remains largely monopolized.

Coal industry

The coal mining industry was formed in France in the 18th century. Coal mining reached its peak in the middle of the 20th century, then, due to the reorientation to oil and gas, the construction of nuclear power plants, and an increase in the cost of mining, coal production declined. Since 2004, no coal has been mined in France (the last mine was closed in Lorraine). The main suppliers of coal to France are Australia (20.6%), South Africa (19.4%), Russia (19.2%), the USA (15.7%) and Colombia (12.6%); these five countries account for almost 90% of coal imports. EU countries provide about 7.9% of total imports. 9 Coal is mainly imported (more than 90% of solid mineral fuel supplies), about 60% of which is used to generate electricity, and the rest is used for pig iron production. The main consumers of coal in France are thermal power and metallurgy (about 82% of total consumption).

Oil industry. At the beginning of 2015, the explored commercial oil reserves amounted to 10.7 million tons 11 (they are almost entirely concentrated in the Parisian and Aquitaine basins). This corresponds to fourteen years of production while maintaining its existing rates (see Table 4) and two months of national consumption.

Oil is produced by Vermilion (over 60% of total production), Total (over 35%), Lundin Petroleum, Toreador, Geopetrol, Petrorep and SPPE.

About 98.5% of the country's domestic demand for oil is met through imports (see Table 3). Since 1973, there has been a trend towards geographic diversification of crude oil supplies to France. Thus, the share of the Middle East decreased from 71.5% in 1973 to 23.8% in 2014. The share of the countries of the former USSR and sub-Saharan Africa, on the contrary, increased. In addition, supplies from the North Sea Basin began to be carried out (see table 5).

In 2014, the main suppliers of crude oil to France were Saudi Arabia (20.7%), Kazakhstan (about 15%), Nigeria (11.4%), Russia (9.8%) and Norway (8%).

There are 7 oil storage facilities and 8 refineries in the country (5 plants belong to Total, 2 plants belong to Esso and 1 plant belongs to Petroineos).

Natural gas

The explored industrial reserves of natural gas are small and amount to 6.7 billion cubic meters. m 12; they are concentrated in the main basins Lac (Aquitaine) 13 and Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Gas is produced by Total, Gazonor and Vermilion, with their own gas producing less than one tenth of a percent of national consumption (see table 3), and almost all gas consumed is imported (see table 6).

The table shows that about 85% of natural gas imports come from just four countries: Norway, Russia, the Netherlands and Algeria.

LNG accounts for about 20% of gas supplies to France (mainly from Algeria, Nigeria and Qatar), the rest of the import is provided by pipeline supplies.

The country has 37 thousand km of gas transmission networks (32 thousand km are operated by GRTgaz and 5 thousand km in the south-west of the country - by TIGF), 195 thousand km of gas distribution networks, 15 gas storage facilities and four regasification terminals with a total capacity of about 35 billion cub. m per year. The Fos Tonkin (Marseille region, in operation since 1972) and Montoir-deBretagne (Nantes region, in operation since 1980) are wholly owned by Elengy (a subsidiary of the GDF Suez group). The Fos Cavaou terminal (near the Kawau peninsula in the south of the country, has been in operation since 2010) is owned by Fosmax LNG, a joint venture between Elengy (78% of the capital) and Total (22%). The Dunkirk LNG terminal, built at the port of Dunkirk in 2015 (currently in testing), is operated by Dunkerque LNG (part of the EDF group).

There are 16 underground gas storage facilities in France with a total capacity of about 13 billion cubic meters. 14 of them are operated by Storengy, 100% of the capital of which belongs to the GDF Suez group, the other two are TIGF.

Power engineering

France has a powerful electric power industry. After the energy crisis in the early 1970s. the state has accelerated the development of the nuclear power industry as part of the strategy to ensure the country's energy security. The importance of thermal power plants in electricity generation is decreasing (see table 7). As of the end of June 2015, the total capacity of the French thermal power plants was 3,000 MW.

France currently ranks second in Europe after Germany in terms of electricity production and second in the world after the United States in terms of the number of nuclear reactors. The country has 58 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 63.2 GW, which produce 77% of all electricity in the country. For this indicator, France is significantly ahead of other countries of the world (see table 8).

The French nuclear industry is represented by the groups EDF, GDF Suez (operation of nuclear reactors) and Areva (development and construction of nuclear reactors, services related to their operation; is currently building the country's first reactor of the third generation). Areva NC, a subsidiary of the Areva group, is engaged in uranium mining, nuclear fuel production and radioactive waste processing.

France is the largest exporter of electricity, supplying mainly to the UK, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Spain.

Renewable energy sources (RES)

In 2014, primary energy production from renewable sources amounted to 22.4 million tonnes of oil equivalent. About 40% of the energy was generated from wood, 11.6% from biofuels and 6.8% from heat pumps. The contribution of hydraulic energy is estimated at 23.8% .14 More than half of energy from renewable sources is consumed in the residential sector, the share of transport is 16%.

Despite the positive dynamics of production and consumption of energy from renewable sources, their existing volumes are insufficient to achieve the goals of the new energy policy in France (see below).

The result of the ongoing since the mid-1970s. policies have become a high level of energy independence of the country, low cost of electricity and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere during energy production (see table 9).

At the present stage, France is faced with the tasks of increasing energy efficiency, expanding the use of renewable energy sources and reducing environmental damage caused by the use of environmentally "dirty" energy sources. In this regard, the new energy policy concept outlined in the Law on Energy Transition to Ensure Green Growth (adopted on August 17, 2015) provides for a significant reduction in national energy consumption, as well as a transition from a modern energy system based on non-renewable resources, to a system based on the use of renewable sources (for example, by 2025, the share of nuclear generation in total electricity generation should be reduced to 50%). 15 The EU Energy Strategy contains targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency (by 2030 in comparison with 1990, respectively, by 40% and 30%).

Thus, the fuel and energy complex remains one of the most significant sectors of the national economy, while retaining its traditional feature - a high degree of monopolization. Further development of the French fuel and energy complex is associated with increased energy efficiency and the transition to a new energy system based on renewable energy sources.

In contact with

An explosion occurred at the Flamanville nuclear power plant. According to preliminary data, five people were injured. According to government officials, there is no threat of the release of radioactive substances.

According to Ouest France, the explosion occurred at about 10:00 local time (12:00 Moscow time) in the engine room of the power plant. According to the representative of the prefect Olivier Marmion, as a result of the incident, five people received mild poisoning, but no seriously injured. Emergency services work on the spot.

According to the prefecture, there is no threat of leakage of radioactive substances, so an emergency regime was not introduced. As a precaution, the operation of the first power unit has been suspended. After the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, many countries began to reduce their nuclear power, and France was among them. In recent years, 20 of the 58 nuclear reactors in the country have been closed.

The Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN), the body responsible for the safety of nuclear power, says that all reactors must be thoroughly screened for safety. In France, there are increasing doubts about the safety of such an energy source, as well as about the quality of some components of nuclear power plants produced both in France and in Japan, which is notorious for its accidents and subsequent radioactive leaks.

The backbone of electricity generation in France

The nuclear power plants of the French electricity supplier EDF generate up to 75% of the total electricity required by France. Nuclear power plants are located in 19 locations throughout the country. With nuclear power plants undergoing inspections and shutting down recently, generation has dropped to lows since 1998 - just 26.6 TWh in September, according to French grid operator Reseau de transport d'electricite.

And as more nuclear power plants close over time, EDF is projected to cut electricity in 2017 to 390 TW-400 TW. For comparison, in the period from 2005 to 2015. the average annual electricity volume was 417 TW. Although it dropped to 390 TW in 2009, over the past decade the average has been above 400 TW. And since EDF predicts a reduction in generation, this led to an increase in prices in Q4 2016 and Q1 2017 and in 2017 by € 1.70 / MW, € 1.65 / MW and € 1.20 / MW respectively. To compensate for energy shortages, France is increasing its use of coal and other fossil fuels, as well as imports of electricity.

Questionable materials and documentation

At the heart of the nuclear crisis in France are two problems. One is related to the carbon content of steel parts, which were produced by the French company AREVA SA, which is a global manufacturer of nuclear reactors. The second problem concerns tampered, falsified and incomplete quality control reports of the components themselves.

Excessive carbon levels can make components more brittle under high pressure. Initially, this problem was discovered just at the Flamanville NPP back in 2014. However, then it turned out that this problem exists in many components that were planned to be used in the construction of other projects.

Inspections were carried out, in connection with which the nuclear power plants were temporarily closed. During the inspections, other shortcomings were revealed. As a result, during the audit, it turned out that since 2015, steam generator heads with an increased carbon content have been produced, which could lead to a lower quality. These heads were used in 18 reactors.

The consequences are felt all over the world

Energy traders and analysts warn that France needs to prepare for a lengthy refurbishment period, given the aging nuclear infrastructure and the fact that more and more defects are found during inspections. On average, a reactor in France is now over 30 years old and equipment needs to be updated more frequently.

And tightening security requirements will mean that component shipments will be delayed, especially after the ASN introduced additional checks. Nevertheless, France, as well as Germany, even before these problems began to question how safe nuclear power is, especially after the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Since 2011, when the disaster struck in Japan, some government officials have expressed the idea of ​​the need to reduce dependence on nuclear energy to 50%. However, many conservatives still view nuclear energy as a key factor in national environmental and economic policy, as France is the leader in nuclear energy.

The state-owned company EDF builds and maintains nuclear power plants around the world. Today the company takes part in projects in countries such as China, Finland, Belgium and the United Kingdom. It is logical to assume that since the problematic components produced by Le Creusot and JCFC have been used in projects in other countries of the world, similar problems could spread outside France.

Security in question

Despite the identified quality problems of the components, EDF continues to insist that there is no risk as the safety level is very high. Nevertheless, questions about the quality of Le Creusot products, which were at the center of the problem, continue to appear.

Upon closer examination, new problems emerge, and the number of violations found in components grows. But many of the components have already been installed at the nuclear power plant. At the same time, the total number of violations during the period of inspections increased from 33 to 83. At only one Flamanville NPP, the number of violations increased from 2 to 20 during the inspections.

Testing and crisis

Sean Bernie, Nuclear Energy Specialist at Greenpeace Germany, notes: “The nuclear industry in France is currently experiencing a crisis caused by carbon tests. 11 reactors were supplied to Japanese companies and were subsequently shut down while the regulator is investigating. ".

The expert notes that such tests have not been carried out in Japan, so neither the authorities nor the people living in the immediate vicinity of the reactors are aware of the danger the nuclear power plants pose. Japan, he said, could also oblige companies to carry out similar testing at nuclear power plants. First of all, we are talking about the Sendai-2 and Ikata-3 reactors, which are the only ones operating in Japan.