PARIS: Power production at France’s Bugey 3 nuclear reactor in the east of the country is expected to be reduced by 500 megawatts (MW) on Wednesday, data from operator EDF showed on Tuesday, as high river temperatures reduce the plant’s ability to intake cooling water.
A heatwave throughout France has led to multiple warnings of power reductions at a number of nuclear plants, particularly on the Rhone river in the east and the Garonne in the west.
The Bugey 3 reactor has a maximum capacity of 910 MW, which will be reduced to 410 MW from 2:30 p.m. (1230 GMT) to midnight on Wednesday as the reactor is required to meet environmental safety measures, EDF’s data showed.
The high water temperature warnings for the Saint Alban plant – down river of the Bugey site – and the Golfech site in the west were moved to August 14, but restrictions have not yet been issued.
Average temperatures in the country are expected to continue to peak throughout the week, reaching a high of 28.5 degrees Celsius (83.3°F) on Saturday, LSEG data showed.
Nuclear power accounts for about 70 percent of total French power consumption annually, but August is the main holiday season throughout the country and electricity demand is often limited.
