The low flow of rivers leads to a reduction in hydroelectricity production. Fearing ruptures on the electrical network, the State has granted a derogation from four nuclear power plants so that they can continue to operate, despite the heat wave.
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In the enchanting site of the Verdon gorges, tourists are not the only ones this year to worry about the drop in the level of the lakes. The exceptionally dry spring and the weakness of the snowy mantle in the Alps this winter did not bring sufficient water levels, which has repercussions on all activities, including hydroelectricity. EDF factories, the leading producer in France, which controls the dams located upstream of the gorges, have been strongly constrained in recent months to promote the filling of the deductions in order to maintain other uses. Since the start of the year, on these infrastructure, production has been reduced by 60 %.
A critical situation which requires constant monitoring of the weather and the flow of rivers, rivers and rivers. “Our forecasts are updated every two weeks in the spring, every week if the situation evolves quickly,” said the energy company who welcomes this preventive management. Thanks to this watch, “the tanks of our dams reach July 7 a volume filling rate of 73 %, or 6 points below the historical average”. On this date, in the Southern Alps, for example, this level was at 22 points below its historical average.
Particularly alarming in this region, this voltage on water is found in the national figures of the supply of electricity. That of EDF thus fell by 33.4 % (2.8 TWh) in June compared to the same period last year. That of the Rhône National Company (CNR) is also affected. In the first half, the river concessionaire, and second national producer of hydroelectricity, takes a 25 % drop in its production compared to the historical average.
legal limits of temperature exceeded
To these tensions are added those of nuclear power plants. Sign of time, the manager of the electricity transport network (RTE) submitted on July 13 to the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) a request for derogation – which the latter accepted – in order to continue the operation of three central, even if the temperature of the rivers they border exceeds the legal limits. This request comes while 29 out of 56 reactors are already unavailable for various reasons. The derogation extends until July 24.
“The manager of the electricity transport network (RTE) estimates that maintaining a minimum power of the Blayais nuclear power plants (Gironde), Golfech (Tarn-et-Garonne) and Saint-Alban (Isère) is essential for the safety of the electrical network. On this basis, the Ministry of Energy Transition considers that this constitutes a public necessity, “confirmed the ASN, Friday, July 15, in a press release. To these power stations has added a fourth since Sunday, that of Bugey in Ain. “The reactors of the Bugey nuclear power plant making effluent releases to the Rhône, can, during the fixed period (…), continue to practice these discharges as long as the warm -up after mixing effluents in the Rhône (…) do not does not exceed 3 ° C in daily average value “, specifies the decree of Sunday.
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