France shuts 3 nuclear reactors as temperatures hit 41 degrees
Eight other reactors were also scaled back, while a Rhone River temperature waiver runs through July 20 to protect electricity supply.
France temporarily shut down three nuclear reactors and reduced output at eight others as a heat wave pushed temperatures to 41 degrees Celsius. Power operator EDF stopped reactors at the Golfech, Bugey and Chooz nuclear plants because environmental rules limit releasing warmer cooling water into rivers that are already heating up. The three sites sit on the Garonne, Rhone and Meuse rivers. France's Economy Ministry a day earlier granted an exemption to temperature limits around Bugey until July 20 to keep the power grid secure. It was the second time in recent weeks that EDF has cut reactor operations because of extreme heat, after a record-breaking heat wave in June.