France faces Year 2000 blackout

NEWS France could lose up to 75 per cent of its electricity supply, as nuclear power stations are forced to close because of Y2K computer failure. The French Institute of Nuclear Safety (IPSN) is warning that between 45 and 80 per cent of the country's nuclear power systems "could be sensitive" to Year 2000 problems. The country's sole electricity provider, Electricite de France, relies on nuclear power to generate over 75 per cent of its energy. IPSN is warning that malfunctions of internal computers and automated systems as a result of the millennium bug could cut off electricity supplies. IPSN said power stations could be closed if less than 40 per cent of their internal systems - the requisite number of operational systems required to guarantee safety - are not compliant. Martyn Emery, director of Year 2000 consultancy, Corporation 2000, blamed France's problems on its unwillingness to cooperate with other countries on Y2K. "France is not a good communicator, it is very slow in coming forward with information. It is not one of the nations waving the Y2K banner," he said. He claimed the country underestimated the global impact of the millennium bug. "France shows a minimal international understanding of the crisis. It doesn't get the whole global system impact - the entire industry is vulnerable." But Emery also criticised the lack of involvement in monitoring the situation by the UK government: "There are 14 nuclear reactors on the French coast - adjacent to the UK. This should be treated like it's a Sellafield, one of our own."