Nationwide Strike Disrupts France's Energy Sector

 A nationwide strike in France on Thursday called by hard-left trade unions demanding higher pay disrupted the energy sector as nuclear power industry workers joined the walkout. Strikes also hit Total Energies refineries for a third day.

The 24-hour strike by electricity union FNME lowered capacity from the power grid at a time when France already faces a record number of nuclear reactor outages.

The strike had reduced nuclear power generation by 3.3 gigawatts (GW) by 0720 GMT, data from power group EDF showed. It reduced hydropower output by 610 megawatts (MW).

The strike is also expected to cause some disruption to schools and transport.