France has temporarily shut down three nuclear reactors due to a new heat wave. Another eight reactors are operating at reduced power to prevent excessive heating of rivers, the water from which is used to cool nuclear power plants.
This is reported by Le Figaro.
The decision was made by the state energy company EDF after a sharp rise in air temperature. On Sunday, the authorities announced the highest - red - level of weather danger in 37 departments of the country.
In particular, EDF shut down the reactors at the Golfech NPP, which uses water from the Garonne River, Bugey on the Rhône and Chooz on the Meuse. Another eight reactors continue to operate at partial load due to temperature limitations.
Why France limits the operation of nuclear power plants
France operates 57 nuclear reactors, which produce about 70% of the country's electricity. Most nuclear power plants are located near rivers or sea coasts, because large volumes of water are needed to cool the reactors.
The French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR) sets for each nuclear power plant the maximum temperature of the water that can be returned to the reservoirs after cooling. If these limits can be exceeded due to heat, the operator is obliged to reduce the production of electricity or stop the reactor completely.
How intense is the heat in France?
The heat in France has been going on since July 4. This is not the first time that high temperatures affect the operation of nuclear power.
During the previous heat wave in June, EDF also temporarily shut down three reactors - at the Golfech, Bugey and Nogent-sur-Seine - for the same reasons.
According to the European climate services, June 2026 became the hottest for the entire period of meteorological observations in Western Europe. Earlier, the French authorities also reported that the previous heat wave could have caused about a thousand deaths.
In addition, June in Western Europe became the warmest in the entire history of meteorological observations. The average air temperature reached +20.74°C, which is more than 3°C higher than the average for this month for the period 1991-2020.
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