France shuts nuclear reactors in heatwave
Analysis based on 71 articles · First reported Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 22, 2026
The shutdowns reduce nuclear capacity by about 3.65 GW (6% of installed fleet), potentially tightening electricity supply and increasing power prices. However, Réseau de Transport d Électricité assures sufficient capacity, and Électricité de France notes production losses from heat have averaged only 0.3% annually since 2000.
France's state-owned energy giant Électricité de France has temporarily shut down three nuclear reactors at Golfech, Bugey, and Chooz plants due to extreme heatwave conditions, with seven others operating at reduced power. The shutdowns are an environmental protection measure to avoid discharging excessively hot water into rivers already warmed by the heatwave. The economy ministry issued an exemption to temperature limits for the France — Rhône around Bugey to ensure grid security. This is the second time in weeks that Électricité de France has halted reactors due to heat, following a record-breaking June heatwave. The heatwave has caused at least 18 heat-related deaths and 40 drownings since June 18, with over 25 million people affected. Électricité de France has an adaptation plan costing €8.7 billion over 15 years to improve resilience. Grid operator Réseau de Transport d Électricité stated France has sufficient generation capacity to meet demand despite outages.
Set up alerts, explore entity relationships, search across thousands of events, and build custom intelligence feeds.
Open Dashboard