France's Power Prices Jump 22% as Heatwave Trims Nuclear Output
EDF said nuclear generation will fall 7.3 GW, or 12% of capacity, as hot river water limits reactor cooling and lifts demand.
- On Wednesday, nuclear operator EDF reported that France will cut generation by 7.3 GW, equal to 12% of total capacity, amid a persistent heatwave; power prices soared 21.8% on Tuesday.
- France's nuclear generation, which accounts for about 70% of the electricity mix, faces limitations as high river temperatures restrict water available for cooling reactors, following similar cuts last month.
- In Europe, Hungary and Romania were forced to shut down reactors this month due to the lowest Danube water levels in 90 years, extending heatwave impacts beyond France.
- Hungary saw one turbine at Paks resume electricity production on Monday as the Danube water level inched up; Romania blasted rock formations last week to secure cooling water for Cernavoda.
- This week's heatwave marks at least the fifth extreme event since June, straining European power grids as increased electricity consumption compounds reduced nuclear supply during peak periods.
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Jellyfish swarms, rivers that are too low or too warm... France's nuclear power plants had never experienced such a summer, with a power shortage rate of 15.6%. In this context, gas-fired power plants are back online, representing 5% to 6% of the energy mix, compared to the usual 1%. Despite everything, France continues to export a large portion of its electricity to its European neighbors.
High temperatures force EDF to lower the power of some reactors or to stop them completely. Unavailabilitys led to increase with global warming.
French power prices jump over 20% as heatwave tightens supply
The heat and drought are disrupting the French nuclear fleet. On Sunday, August 9, 15.6% of the nuclear power of EDF was unavailable due to the high heats, a level unprecedented since 2015, according to AFP calculations.
Many reactors were forced this summer to reduce or stop production due to "environmental constraints" or "external environmental causes".
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