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Europe heatwaves disrupt nuclear plant cooling as rivers hit lows
With many reactors relying on rivers and seas for cooling, lower-than-usual water levels force some facilities to miss operating targets amid record drought across the region.
Europe’s record summer heat has disrupted nuclear power plant operations as low river levels reduce cooling water availability, EnergyOilPrice reports.
The outlet says governments across the region have taken extraordinary measures to keep nuclear facilities running, but some plants are failing to meet their targets because rivers are at record lows following prolonged drought and temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius.
According to the report, nuclear plants convert only about one-third of the heat generated in a reactor into electricity, with the remaining heat released through cooling systems that often use rivers or the sea.
OilPrice adds that reduced water volume causes waste heat to warm the remaining water faster, which can complicate plant operations and is expected to weigh on Europe’s GDP, with economic losses projected to reach the billions.