Reuters: Possible defects at French reactor lift European power prices

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https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/report-defects-french-nuclear-reactor-civaux-2-lifts-european-power-market-2025-06-11/

Possible defects at French reactor lift European power prices
By Forrest Crellin
June 11, 2025 10:06 AM EDT

Summary

• Watchdog finds possible defects at France's Civaux 2 reactor
• Says no confirmation of corrosion, more tests needed
• French front-year baseload contract briefly hit four month high

PARIS, June 11 (Reuters) - European power contracts jumped on Wednesday on concerns France might have to reduce its nuclear output after the industry regulator said it had identified "hints" of possible stress corrosion in a reactor.

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Operator EDF dealt with stress corrosion cracks in the same reactor less than three years ago, when corrosion in multiple reactors nationwide forced nuclear output in France to a 34-year low and sent prices skyrocketing.

A spokesperson for EDF said an inspection was underway at Civaux 2 as part of annual maintenance and the utility did not yet have the results.

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Risks to the French nuclear fleet were the main driver for gas demand on Wednesday, a trader told Reuters.

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