The operator of the Cattenom nuclear power plant, EDF-CNPE, has reported that a reactor was taken offline during the night of Friday 3 to Saturday 4 May 2024.
The press release, provided by the Grand-Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS), reported that teams of the Cattenom power plant carried out the shutdown of production unit (reactor) no. 1 overnight. This shutdown will last several weeks and is aimed at saving the fuel contained in the reactor until its next scheduled shutdown for fuel reloading and maintenance in March 2025.
According to EDF-CNPE, treatment of stress corrosion (checks, assessments, repairs, etc.) had an impact on the duration of the shutdowns of the reactor in question, leading to changes to its scheduled shutdowns for reloading and maintenance for the years 2023 and 2024.
To ensure the reactor is available for winter 2024, EDF-CNPE said it was necessary to carry out a significant number of fuel optimisation days. These are planned taking into account the balance between electricity supply and demand.
The press release also recalled that reactor no. 4 has been on scheduled shutdown for its third ten-year visit since 16 February 2024. Reactors No. 2 and 3 are currently operational and supplying the electricity network.
