French state-controlled utility EdF has suspended maintenance work at its 2.7GW Flamanville nuclear plant in an attempt to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Maintenance halted yesterday after EdF was informed of the possibility of several coronavirus cases at Flamanville, the firm told Argus. The firm has launched a business continuity plan at the site, which only allows access to nuclear and environmental safety engineers.
It is too early to say when the work could restart or whether the suspension will delay the return of the units to the grid, EdF said. Before the maintenance halt, Flamanville's two 1.33GW units were expected to reconnect to the grid on 31 May, having previously being scheduled to come on line on 10 April.
Flamanville 1 has been off line since 18 September and was initially due to return after just two weeks. Flamanville 2 has been inactive since January last year and was originally expected to remain off line for six months.
The shutdowns at both plants could be further extended because of the "complex" nature of the maintenance work, EdF said last month.
EdF said in February that it had detected micro-cracks in Flamanville's combustion turbine and that it has moved to replace the equipment.
The near end of the French power curve did not draw support from the announcement, as expectations of lower demand amid a national lockdown continued to weigh on prices.
The French April base-load contract last changed hands at €23.60/MWh, down from €25.20/MWh earlier in the day and an assessment of €25.50/MWh at yesterday's close.
And the French second-quarter base load last traded at €25.70/MWh, against a settlement of €27.50/MWh a day earlier.
French power consumption could fall amid rising cases of remote working and a general economic slowdown related to the outbreak, transmission system operator RTE said earlier this week.
