A third of EDF'sworkforce in France was on strike onThursday in protest against a restructuring plan, the state-controlled utilitysaid, sending French power generation down by more than 10%.
EDF said that about20,000 workers in France had joined the industrial action at midday, in one ofthe biggest strike turnouts at the company in eight years.
The strike hasreduced power generation by some 6 gigawatts, affecting output in severalnuclear, hydro and gas-fired power plants. The strike is due to end on Thursdayevening.
Power stationoutages will not knock out the grid or hit households, though cuts in poweroutput are costly for EDF, as it has to import any shortfall from overseas.
After the strikestarted on Wednesday night, there was a loss of power generation of over 8%,and by Thursday midday it had fallen another two percentage points, accordingto data from EDF and grid operator RTE.
EDF workers are protestingagainst plans steered by the French government to restructure and potentiallysplit the heavily-indebted group, with its nuclear power generation businessset to one side.
The strike was moredisruptive than previous stoppages, with four unions representing a majority ofFrance's energy workers joining forces behind the walkout this time.Previously, the unions have not acted together.