The current situation comes from: - delayed maintenance due to covid - usual reduction of output due to heat and water temperature limits - and the big one:

The current situation comes from: - delayed maintenance due to covid - usual reduction of output due to heat and water temperature limits - and the big one: worse than expected corrosion on some pipes https://www.theenergymix.com/2022/06/29/corrosion-problem-shutters-half-of-frances-nuclear-reactors/ https://www.theenergymix.com/2022/06/29/corrosion-problem-sh... https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/French-regulator-gives-update-on-corrosion-issue https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/French-regulator-giv... "The fault seems common to a whole series of France’s reactors. The shutdowns affect four of the largest N4 reactors of 1,500 megawatts, five 1,300-MW, reactors of similar design, and three 900-MW units. This, on top of a series of outages at 18 other reactors for repairs, updating, or regular safety checks, has left France with the lowest nuclear output in decades." https://www.edf.fr/en/the-edf-group/dedicated-sections/journalists/all-press-releases/update-nuclear-on-may-18th-2022 https://www.edf.fr/en/the-edf-group/dedicated-sections/journ... "All of these events require EDF to adjust its French nuclear output estimate for 2022 to 280-300TWh" For reference nuclear produced 442 TWh in 2011 in France Capacity factor will be 55-60% at best in 2022 for nuclear.