European summer cuts six French reactors

The heatwave affecting Europe this summer has put pressure on France's electricity system. It is expected that the rising temperatures will reduce nuclear power plant output by about 15%, which amounts to around 9.4 gigawatts of the total capacity the country relies on to generate roughly 70% of its annual electricity. This decline has been further compounded by maintenance work and technical faults, leading to nuclear capacity dropping to approximately 27.7 gigawatts, the lowest level since August 2023. These restrictions are influenced by environmental regulations that limit the discharge of heated water used for cooling, as heatwaves raise water temperatures in rivers, forcing Électricité de France to reduce or shut down certain reactors. The decrease in production has caused electricity prices in the French market to rise, with the one-day electricity contract price increasing by 4.4% to €154.50 per megawatt-hour, the highest since June 23. Additionally, France's export capacity to neighboring countries such as Germany and the UK has been impacted, increasing pressure on coal and gas plants to make up the shortfall and mitigate the effects of energy supply shortages.

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