Coronavirus: EDF runs its power plants with fewer staff present

With more than 75% of the electricity produced by the atom, nuclear power is the country's energy lung. However, today, the sites physically host only 50% of the teams. On average, a plant - where two reactors are located - went from 900 to 450 employees present. Indeed, as far as possible, a certain number of tasks are carried out remotely. There are also some absences linked to the epidemic. On the other hand, unlike other companies, EDF has not taken specific directives to put nuclear workers on paid leave or partial unemployment.

"For all the essential functions, such as operating the installation and safety operations, the personnel are on the move, " sums up Sylvie Richard, deputy director of the Directorate of Nuclear Production (DPN). Knowing for example that three people are permanently present in the control room of a nuclear power plant, and that this figure increases to ten by adding those

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