France's Fifth Heatwave Hits Nuclear Output, Power Prices Jump
A fifth European heatwave is forcing France to curb nuclear generation, spiking day-ahead power prices as cooling demand rises.
France is bracing for its fifth heatwave of the summer, a weather event that is already squeezing the country's nuclear power supply and driving up electricity prices.
Day-ahead power prices jumped 21.8% to €142.5 per megawatt hour in morning trading, according to market data. The surge reflects a double squeeze: nuclear output is being trimmed while demand for air conditioning and fans climbs.
State-owned utility EDF said nuclear generation could be cut by 7.3 gigawatts at Wednesday's midday peak — roughly 12% of the entire fleet. France depends on nuclear reactors for about 70% of its electricity, making the system especially vulnerable to heat-related restrictions.
Reactor output is often limited during heatwaves because the rivers used for cooling become too warm, and environmental rules cap the temperature of discharged water. The current heatwave is expected to push average temperatures 7.4 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms, intensifying both supply constraints and demand.
Meteo-France forecasts temperatures of 35°C to 39°C across most regions on Thursday and Friday, with a possible easing over the weekend. The prolonged hot spell is part of a broader pattern of extreme summer heat across Europe, which has already caused water shortages, wildfires, and fatalities this season.