POITOU-CHARENTES Purpose: production of electricityType: power plant, pressurized water reactors (N4 class) Installations: Civaux 1 and 2 Location: Civaux (Vienne), on the Vienne to the south-east of Poitiers Operator: Electricité de France Period of operation: since 1997 (Civaux 1 went critical Nov. 1997; Civaux 2 Nov. 1999) Fuel: low-enriched uranium oxide Nominal capacity: 2890 MW electric net in total, 1450 MW electric per reactor Comments: cumulative production at the end of 2000 was 8.15 TWh (respectively 4 and 5.15 TWh) but neither of the two reactors had at that date passed the stage of "putting into industrial operation" (MSI).
Because of large variations in the level of water in the Vienne, the Civaux plants, unlike the other N4 reactors, Chooz B1 and B2, have six reservoirs instead of four; basins permitting the reactor to operate on a closed cooling water circuit, and a requirement that particular attention be paid to the chemical characteristics of effluent. The Vienne, below the reactor, is the source of drinking water for several communities, including Chatelleraut [UFCV 99]. Civaux 1 has a troubled history. It did not operate for over a year due to a leak in the primary circuit of the reactor and later due to a problem with amoeba. For a chronology of major events click here. |