nuclear-news

Three nuclear reactors are shut down in France due to the heatwave

After the Golfech power plant (Tarn-et-Garonne), two other nuclear reactors were shut down, in Bugey (Ain) and in Nogent-sur-Seine (Aube).

25/06/2026 franceinfo with AFP, https://www.franceinfo.fr/environnement/evenements-meteorologiques-extremes/vagues-de-chaleur-canicules/trois-reacteurs-nucleaires-sont-a-l-arret-en-france-en-raison-des-fortes-chaleurs_8079206.html

The heatwave is impacting energy production. EDF shut down two 
nuclear reactors on Thursday, June 25th.
(New window), at Bugey (Ain) and Nogent-sur-Seine (Aube), bringing to three the number of reactors shut down in France due to the high temperatures, after that of Golfech (Tarn-et-Garonne), while a unit at Saint-Alban must also reduce its production, according to a situation report sent to AFP.

Reactor number 3 at the Bugey nuclear power plant, located on the banks of the Rhône River, has been shut down since 9:00 AM, as has unit number 1 at Nogent-sur-Seine since 9:15 AM, due to 
“external environmental factors” and in order to comply with the temperature limits for the Rhône and Seine rivers, EDF explains on its regulatory information website. The shutdowns or production reductions decided by EDF aim to meet environmental obligations to protect the flora and fauna of the rivers and streams that are used to cool the nuclear facilities.

Do not further warm the waterways

In the event of extreme heat, the rising temperature of these waterways can force EDF to reduce or even halt its production to avoid further heating them with its discharges of cooling water that is a few tenths of a degree to a few degrees warmer, depending on the site. The operation of France’s 57 reactors is subject to strict limits on the temperature increase of these waterways.

In the case of Golfech, which has been shut down since Monday, the river temperature must not exceed 28°C after discharges from the power plant. In Nogent-sur-Seine, “regulations stipulate that the temperature rise of the Seine must not exceed 3°C between upstream and downstream of the site, and that the average temperature must not exceed 28°C downstream.”

June 29, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, France