Rising Water Temperatures Threaten French Nuclear Power Output

EDF has warned of high water temperatures affecting electricity production on the Rhone River, particularly impacting the Bugey nuclear plant. This issue highlights the vulnerability of nuclear facilities to heatwaves, given environmental regulatory thresholds for cooling water. Other plants like Cruas and Saint-Alban remain operational.

Electricité de France (EDF) has issued a notice warning of anticipated disruptions in electricity production on the Rhone River due to high water temperatures beginning June 25. This issue is particularly concerning for the 3.6 gigawatt Bugey nuclear plant, located in eastern France.

The warning marks the first alert for high river temperatures in France in 2025, against the backdrop of an expected heatwave this weekend. State forecaster Meteo France predicts temperatures soaring up to 38 degrees Celsius in southern France.

While the Cruas and Saint-Alban nuclear plants lie downstream from Bugey, they are not currently mentioned in the bulletin. Maintenance activities are ongoing at these locations, with EDF often opting to lower production at specific reactors, maintaining operational balance during this lower demand period for French power consumption.

(With inputs from agencies.)