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Europe heat wave strains power grids and threatens nuclear output
France expects up to five nuclear plants to cut production as extreme heat raises cooling water temperatures and boosts electricity demand.
Europe’s blistering heat wave is raising the risk of rolling blackouts as power plants shut down and electric grids become overstressed, OilPrice reported. The outlet said the heat is also disrupting local ecosystems, including rivers that are critical for cooling systems at thermal generation facilities.
OilPrice noted that soaring temperatures can warm river water, reducing its effectiveness for cooling nuclear power plants. With demand rising during the same period, that creates tighter operating conditions across the energy system.
France has already announced it will reduce production at as many as five nuclear power plants, with two curbing output this week, according to OilPrice. The country is also expected to face a high-pressure heat dome in the coming weeks, with temperatures reaching as high as 42 Celsius.
The outlet added that during a similar heat wave last month, a transformer failure left nearly 70,000 households without power when temperatures climbed to 44 Celsius, its hottest day on record. It described the situation as a warning sign for energy security as the heat persists.