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Wednesday, 16 June, 2004, 17:08 GMT 18:08 UK

Strike hits French nuclear plants

An EdF nuclear reactor Workers at France's state utility EdF have cut power supplies to five nuclear power stations in protest against the partial sell-off of their firm.

Workers cut output by 5,700 megawatts - said to represent 10% of capacity - and severed an export cable to Spain.

The workers fear the privatisation move could lead to job losses.

They have warned that the strike action - which has included cutting power to the home of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin - may go on until 14 July.

Network investment required

EdF and Gaz de France employees walked out on Tuesday, as a parliamentary debate began on a bill to transform utilities into limited liability companies, a move which paves the way for privatisation.

The main CGT union said the 5,600 megawatts which were cut from 1100 local time on Wednesday was equivalent to 10% of available capacity.

EdF's Saint Laurent, Nogent, Chinon, Cruas and Golfech nuclear power plants were affected, according to the union.

The centre-right government wants to sell off up to 30% of EdF in order to fund urgently-needed investment in France's electricity network without putting its already overstretched finances under additional strain.

But the CGT union said the government had neglected alternatives to privatisation.



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Related to this story:
French power strikers target PM (15 Jun 04  |  Business )
France hit by mass energy protest (27 May 04  |  Business )
France's nuclear option (09 Oct 03  |  Europe )
France shakes up state giants (31 Jul 03  |  Business )
French MPs slam state firms (16 Jul 03  |  Business )

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