Heatwave Forces EDF to Cut Nuclear Output

The heatwave has forced EDF to scale back nuclear output. The cut reached 8.3 GW on July 15, after peaking at 9.2 GW the previous Sunday. Reductions affected the Blayais, Bugey, Chooz, Golfech, Saint-Alban and Tricastin plants. EDF must curb output at nuclear plants that rely on river water for cooling whenever water temperatures exceed set thresholds. Available nuclear capacity stood at 39 GW on July 15, with some units offline for summer maintenance. That same day, peak demand hit 57 GW — 8 GW above seasonal norms.