EDF Nuclear Failures Undermine Europe’s Push to Exit Russian Gas
- France may need to import power from its neighbors this winter
- That may drive up regional demand for gas to feed power plants
Cooling towers at the EDF nuclear power plant, in Dampierre-en-Burly, France.
Photographer: Anita Pouchard Serra/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Electricite de France SA’s nuclear failures are sending ripples through European energy markets, threatening to undermine the continent’s plan to turn its back on Russian gas.
Europe’s biggest producer of atomic energy, which usually exports cheap power during the winter, may be forced to import this year after cutting its output forecast a third time. A fleet hobbled by faults is not just a problem for France but for countries such as neighboring Germany, which may have to burn more gas to keep the lights on despite pledging to cut its reliance on Moscow.