Golfech Nuclear Power Plant

The station has two operating nuclear reactors that are both pressurized water reactors of the French P'4 design. The plant also has two 178.5-metre-tall cooling towers that get water from the Garonne River, only using water to compensate for evaporation; the cooling loop is closed and water is never released back into the river.

In 2002 the plant produced nearly half of the electricity used in the area. It employs nearly 700 full-time workers.

History

In 1965, the Midi-Pyrénées announced its intention to construct a nuclear plant near Malause. EDF then went about securing a site for the station. In 1967 a board of inquiry initially laid out plans for two UNGG reactors with an output of 800 MWe each.

Due to falling petroleum prices and conflicts between EDF and CEA, the project was delayed, with a decision made between 1967 and 1969. In 1969 after the departure of Charles de Gaulle, CEA gave up on the UNGG plans.

In 1973, a nearby hydroelectric plant of 63 MW was completed and the regional manager for EDF announces plans for PWRs at the same site to be finished by 1985.

In 1978, EDF announces that Golfech would be the site for 4 PWRs eventually of 1300 MWe each.

On 17 June 1979, 5000 protesters walked on the future site and released balloons.