The two reactors of the Golfech nuclear power station (Tarn-et-Garonne) were shut down, the first for maintenance, the second due to the heat wave, to prevent the temperature of the Garonne downstream from exceeding 28 degrees, the electrician said on Wednesday.
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" Due to the evolution of the temperature of the Garonne observed since this (Wednesday) morning, with values higher than forecasts, the production unit n ° 2 of the plant will be shut down at the end of the morning " , indicates EDF on its site, specifying that this has " no impact on the continuity of electricity supply ". The two reactors had already been shut down at the end of July 2019 due to a scorching episode.
The Golfech nuclear power plant, located on the banks of the Garonne between Agen and Toulouse, thus applies the decree of September 18, 2006, which notably requires that the average daily temperature of the Garonne downstream does not exceed 28 ° C in order to preserve the fauna and flora of aquatic environments.
It is made up of two 1,300 megawatt reactors making it possible to cover on average 50% of the electricity consumption in the Occitanie region. It takes water from the Garonne to ensure the cooling of its production units and to supply the various circuits necessary for its operation. This water is then returned to the river at a higher temperature (+ 0.2 ° C on average), which depends on the power level of the installations.
A first reactor has been in shutdown since August 10 to " renew part of its fuel and carry out maintenance operations ", according to EDF. In June, the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) qualified its assessment of the general operation of the site as “ very poor ”.
“ ASN is very vigilant about what is currently happening at Golfech. It considers that nuclear safety performance must be the subject of absolute priority for the operator, and as such, it ensures close monitoring of the site in 2020 ”, indicated during a press videoconference Bertrand Frémaux, from the Bordeaux division of ASN.
