France Braces for Reduced Nuclear Output As Rivers Get Too Warm
Electricite de France SA (EDF) is poised to curtail nuclear energy production this weekend due to a pervasive heat wave impacting several regions across France. The soaring heat is causing temperatures in the rivers, which are used to cool some of the country’s reactors, to also go up.
The temperatures projected for the Rhone River area are likely to trigger production limitations at the Tricastin power plant. This facility, housing four reactors, with two of them already offline for maintenance, might face restricted production on August 26, according to the EDF regulatory notice released on Monday. Furthermore, EDF’s Bugey facility might also see reduced output on August 26 and 27.
France is currently under orange to red heat warnings, or severe to extreme heat in Rhone.
The country’s extensive fleet of 56 reactors provides over 50% of its power and supports the broader European electricity market. Although these potential restrictions are not anticipated to disrupt weekend energy supply, they could push market prices up if France’s energy exports to neighboring countries decrease.
EDF has additionally extended its alert regarding the Golfech plant’s output in southwestern France, signaling that high temperatures in the Garonne River might impact operations until August 29.
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