EDF, the operator of the Cattenom nuclear power plant across the border in France, has reported that production unit (reactor) no. 3 was shut down for maintenance during the night of Friday 9 to Saturday 10 May 2025.
The scheduled shutdown, called a "partial inspection", reportedly allows part of the fuel to be renewed and numerous inspection and maintenance operations to be carried out. More than 13,000 activities were planned during this shutdown and 35 modifications to the facility were set to be carried out, "further strengthening the reactor's safety level".
Beyond the maintenance and inspection programme for this partial inspection, a "significant" volume of valve activities was planned. Large-scale maintenance work was also due to be carried out, such as the replacement of cluster guide tubes and nuclear power control cluster control mechanisms, the complete inspection of a low-pressure body of the turbo-alternator group, and the replacement of a motor pump in the reactor's primary circuit.
EDF added that reactor no. 1 was also shut down for its partial inspection. Reactors no. 2 and 4 continued operating and supplying power to the national electricity grid.
