French electricity company EDF experienced a decrease in electricity production by 2.6 gigawatts today (Wednesday) due to a labor strike in the energy and gas sectors protesting wages and pension system reforms.

According to the company’s data, three nuclear reactors were affected with a decline of 2.1 gigawatts, in addition to a reduction in hydroelectric power production by 510 megawatts. Despite this, the electricity grid operator RTE confirmed that France will remain a net electricity exporter, as the decrease represents only about 4.2% of total production.

This action comes amid a tense political atmosphere, with a confidence vote on the French government scheduled for Monday, amid declining public support. Unions have predicted an escalation of protests in the coming weeks if their demands are not met.

In the gas sector, Belgian company Fluxys announced that the strike at the liquefied natural gas terminal in Dunkirk did not affect production operations or ship unloading, maintaining stable gas supplies to France and Belgium.

France is one of the world’s largest producers of nuclear energy, providing about 70% of its electricity needs through nuclear reactors, but ongoing social and economic tensions threaten the sector’s stability, while unions call on the government for urgent dialogue to avoid further escalation.