Also since 2010 French energy production have to be sold by EDF at loss to help private reseller make more margins and "open the market". This cause several bn of loss per year which is money not available to construct new reactors or pay for proper maintenance.
EDF was also forced to buy Areva when their reactor branch went under because of abysmal management of money on major projects... which EDF now also have to support.
Long story short French energy production isn't looking good lately, reactors are getting older and only one is currently being made but the project is several years late.
But about these number it's true, lot of maintenance is usually pushed back to the summer so it's ready to take the high load of heaters in the winter. You can check it real time here: https://www.rte-france.com/eco2mix/la-production-delectricit...
Also since 2010 French energy production have to be sold by EDF at loss to help private reseller make more margins and "open the market". This cause several bn of loss per year which is money not available to construct new reactors or pay for proper maintenance. EDF was also forced to buy Areva when their reactor branch went under because of abysmal management of money on major projects... which EDF now also have to support. Long story short French energy production isn't looking good lately, reactors are getting older and only one is currently being made but the project is several years late.