Overview

• EDF issued a June 24 alert that the Golfech nuclear plant may reduce output from July 2 due to high Garonne river temperatures.
• A June 23 warning signaled possible production throttling at Saint-Alban from July 1 over elevated Rhône water temperatures following an initial June 19 alert for Bugey that led to no cuts.
• French nuclear reactors depend on river cooling systems governed by strict temperature and flow limits designed to protect aquatic ecosystems.
• Météo-France continues its orange heatwave alert for the Rhône and Isère departments as the summer heat intensifies.
• Since 2000 environmental factors have trimmed annual nuclear output by about 0.3%, with losses reaching 1.43% during the 2003 heatwave, underscoring growing climate impacts.