Chinon Nuclear Power Plant
| Company type | Nuclear power plant |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | February 1, 1957 |
| Founder | Électricité de France (EDF) |
| Headquarters | Avoine, Indre-et-Loire , France |
Area served | France |
| Products | Electricity |
| Owner | Électricité de France (EDF) |
Number of employees | 1350 |
| Parent | Électricité de France (EDF) |
| Website | www |
The Chinon Nuclear Power Plant () is situated close to Avoine, Indre-et-Loire along the Loire river, approximately 10 kilometers from Chinon in the heart of France. The facility consists of seven reactors, three of which have been permanently shut down.
Operation
Managed by Électricité de France (EDF), the plant employs roughly 1,350 full-time personnel.
Performance
Chinon is home to three early-generation French UNGG reactors (EDF1, EDF2, EDF3), later designated as Chinon-A1, A2, and A3; these units have been retired. Additionally, four more recent French PWR reactors (Chinon-B1 through B4) continue to function. The site features four low-profile cooling towers designed to minimize their visual presence on the Loire river.
As one of the major nuclear facilities in France, Chinon contributes around 6% of the nation's electricity supply.
Events
- Winter 1986-87: An exceptionally cold spell caused freezing of river water intakes and critical equipment.
- 21 December 2005: Accumulation of sand in the tertiary cooling loop posed a threat to reactor cooling processes.
- 4 September 2008: During maintenance activities, a non-radioactive industrial oil spill occurred into the river.
- 30 April 2009: A bomb threat led to evacuation of the plant and deployment of military security forces.
- 10 February 2024: Following a fire incident at the facility, EDF took two reactors offline.
Other info
- Since its closure in 1986, the Chinon A1 reactor has served as the location for the French Atom Museum.
- The plant hosts the INTRA (INTervention Robotic on Accidents) team, a national nuclear emergency response unit equipped with remotely controlled, radiation-resistant robots.
Reactors
| Unit | Type | Net power | Total power | Construction start | Construction finish | Commercial operation | Shut down |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinon A1 | UNGG | 70 MW | 80 MW | 01.02.1957 | 14.06.1963 | 01.02.1964 | 16.04.1973 |
| Chinon A2 | UNGG | 210 MW | 230 MW | 01.08.1959 | 24.02.1965 | 24.02.1965 | 14.06.1985 |
| Chinon A3 | UNGG | 480 MW | 480 MW | 01.03.1961 | 04.08.1966 | 04.08.1966 | 15.06.1990 |
| Chinon B1 | PWR | 905 MW | 954 MW | 01.03.1977 | 30.11.1982 | 01.02.1984 | Qualified to operate until 2024 |
| Chinon B2 | PWR | 905 MW | 954 MW | 01.03.1977 | 29.11.1983 | 01.08.1984 | Qualified to operate until 2024 |
| Chinon B3 | PWR | 905 MW | 954 MW | 01.10.1980 | 20.10.1986 | 04.03.1987 | Qualified to operate until 2027 |
| Chinon B4 | PWR | 905 MW | 954 MW | 01.02.1981 | 14.11.1987 | 01.04.1988 | Qualified to operate until 2028 |