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.