Electricite de France (EDF) is considering upgrading some of its nuclear reactors to extend the life of its atomic fleet to at least 60 years, which could boost output by 4% to 5%.
Rising power prices and Europe's energy crisis have pushed this consideration back onto the company's agenda for 2023. The move is part of EDF's plan to maintain and retrofit its reactors with a spending budget of €33 billion ($35.6 billion) between 2022 and 2028.
The company has been tasked with building at least six new reactors and extending the lifetime of its 56 reactors to help France reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, but has faced challenges with extended repairs and outages.
EDF's nuclear output dropped to its lowest level since 1988 last year due to cracked pipes, refuelling halts, and planned maintenance, among other issues. The average age of EDF's 56 reactors is 37 years, resulting in five or six reactors being stopped each year for lengthy lifetime extension works. EDF plans to modify the nuclear fuel used in its 32 900-megawatt reactors to increase reactor availability.