Key facts
- France's nuclear power production will be limited by approximately 15% on Friday due to a heatwave.
- Six nuclear reactors are expected to be fully offline.
- Total nuclear curtailments are projected to reach 9.4 gigawatts.
- The French day-ahead power contract for Friday increased by 4.4% to €154.50 per megawatt hour.
- Environmental regulations limit heat discharge into rivers, forcing output reductions during high temperatures.
Europe's fifth heatwave this summer is expected to significantly curtail French nuclear power production on Friday, with approximately 15% of the fleet's capacity likely to be offline. Data from operator EDF indicates that six reactors will be fully shut down, leading to total curtailments of 9.4 gigawatts across nine reactors at their peak.
The reduced nuclear output, combined with limited wind energy generation, has driven up power prices. The French day-ahead contract for Friday has reached its highest point since June 23, increasing by 4.4% to €154.50 per megawatt hour. This surge contrasts with August's typically lower prices, usually attributed to reduced demand during the major holiday month in France.
The shortfall in French nuclear power has cross-border implications, compelling countries like Britain and Germany to increase their reliance on coal and gas plants to compensate for diminished nuclear power exports. France depends on nuclear energy for about 70% of its annual electricity production. French regulations mandate that nuclear plants limit the heat discharged into rivers for environmental reasons, necessitating output reductions when water temperatures rise during heatwaves.
Thursday is anticipated to be the hottest day of the current heatwave, with temperatures ranging from 35 to 40 degrees Celsius in most regions. While cooler air is expected to bring some relief to western areas on Friday, much of the country will remain warm. Despite these outages, France's nuclear power production in June and July saw an increase compared to the previous year, attributed to EDF's revised maintenance schedule. Additionally, the jellyfish-affected reactors at the Gravelines plant have been brought back into service.