High temperatures in France shut down three reactors and cut output at eight

High temperatures are also affecting electricity generation in France. French company EDF announced, according to media reports, that it had shut down three nuclear reactors because of weather conditions. It also reduced output at eight others. A similar situation has occurred in previous years. France is now facing its third heatwave since the beginning of the year.

Permits for nuclear power plants usually set limits on river flow or the temperature of water drawn from rivers to cool the plants. Once these limits are reached, water withdrawals must stop or be reduced. EDF shut down reactors for this reason at the Golfech plant on the Garonne, the Bugey plant on the Rhône and the Chooz plant on the Meuse. The restrictions announced today affect a total of 11 of the 57 reactors operated by EDF.

France has been experiencing its third heatwave since the beginning of the year in recent days. Some level of weather warning is in force across all of metropolitan France except the southwest, according to weather service Météo France. The highest warning level applies to areas where around 40 percent of the population lives. A similar situation is expected on Monday. France is also battling severe wildfires. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said today that authorities estimate the fires have destroyed a total of 25,000 hectares of land, an area twice the size of Paris.