Overview
- EDF said late Sunday that three reactors were temporarily shut and eight others were running at reduced power to meet rules on cooling-water discharges.
- The reactors taken offline are at Golfech, Bugey and Chooz, which draw cooling water from the Garonne, Rhone and Meuse rivers respectively.
- France’s economy ministry issued a temporary exemption for the Rhone around the Bugey plant valid until July 20 to help avoid wider power shortages.
- Meteo‑France placed 37 departments on its highest heat alert with forecasts up to 41°C and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported 139 drownings since June 19.
- Because many French reactors use river water for cooling, repeated heatwaves tied to climate change are likely to cause more output limits and strain grid planning, tourism and public services.