Water in the gas. The renewable strike in energy began this Friday afternoon with cuts in electricity production in several nuclear power plants. An action that the CGT justifies by the “debate which opens in the Senate” on article 1 concerning the abolition of special pension schemes, including that of electricians and gas workers.
The Flamanville (Manche), Paluel (Seine-Maritime) and Saint-Alban (Isère) power stations were affected by reductions equivalent to a total of just over 1,000 MW according to the EDF website, i.e. the power of a nuclear reactor. According to the CGT, the movement “aims to expand”.
“We have just called for generalization, including in hydraulics. It will be organized today, this evening and tomorrow Saturday, ”said Sébastien Ménesplier, secretary general of the CGT Energie, to AFP. These reductions in production, closely supervised by the operator of the high and very high voltage line network RTE, generally do not lead to cuts for customers.
“At least until March 7”
This movement was originally due to start on Monday evening, with a view to putting “France at a standstill” on Tuesday. But the examination by the Senate, expected from Friday evening, even Saturday, of article 1 of the pension reform project has set fire to the powder. The sector fears that its special regime will disappear and, in the long term, its protective status, in particular intended to compensate for the time constraints of the profession.
The movement will last “at least until the 7th and at the most until winning”, declared Sébastien Ménesplier. “If Emmanuel Macron does not want a France at a standstill and a black week in energy, it would be better for him to withdraw his reform”, he concluded.