Weather tracker: Unusually warm rivers affect French nuclear power plants

[cbabe]

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/13/weather-tracker-unusually-warm-rivers-affect-french-nuclear-power-plants

Weather tracker: Unusually warm rivers affect French nuclear power plants

Theo Gkousarov for MetDesk

High temperatures and below average rainfall put pressure on waterways used to cool reactors
Mon 13 Jul 2026 06.53 EDT

Above average temperatures combined with below average rainfall across much of western and central Europe during June and the first half of July have placed increasing pressure on rivers, ecosystems and energy infrastructure. Persistent high pressure brought prolonged sunshine, suppressed rainfall and enhanced evaporation, causing river levels to fall and water temperatures to increase.

These unusually warm rivers are affecting electricity generation in France, as several nuclear power stations rely on river water for cooling. Under French environmental regulations, operators must limit the amount of heat discharged back into rivers, meaning electricity output may need to be reduced when water temperatures become too high.

Earlier this month, EDF temporarily shut down a reactor at the Golfech nuclear power station after the Garonne River approached its environmental discharge threshold, while production restrictions are expected at the Nogent nuclear power station from 14 July if the river reaches its forecast temperature. The prolonged heat has also increased electricity demand as air-conditioning use has risen across much of Europe.

The same persistent weather pattern has produced dangerous wildfires across the Iberian peninsula. Spain experienced several significant wildfires last week as prolonged heat, exceptionally dry vegetation and very limited rainfall combined with low relative humidity and periods of gusty winds to create favourable conditions for fire to spread rapidly. One of the largest fires occurred in the Almería province, prompting evacuations and extensive firefighting operations.

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[hunter]

1. Weather extremes impact almost everything humans build.

It's not a problem exclusive to nuclear power plants.

Compare this to the 2021 power crisis in Texas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Texas_power_crisis

There the electric grid failed because the weather was colder than the designers and operators of the system had anticipated as the "worst case."

Wind and solar power systems fail to produce power as expected frequently but the promoters of these technologies, for incomprehensible reasons, seem to find this unremarkable.

In this case the nuclear power plants are reducing their output to protect the riparian environment. A fossil fuel power plant cooled by river water would face the same restrictions.