French utility EDF saw a record amount of its nuclear generating capacity offline on Sunday, according to a report from BFM. The milestone came during a period of intense summer heat affecting the country.
BFM reported that the fleet's unavailable power reached an all-time high on that day. The news outlet did not specify the exact megawatt figure in the available summary, but noted the record was tied to the ongoing hot weather conditions.
The heatwave has forced at least one reactor to halt operations. Le Figaro reported that the Golfech nuclear plant, located in southwestern France, saw its reactor shut down again due to the high temperatures. This marks a repeated stoppage for that facility during the current warm spell.
French nuclear reactors often rely on river water for cooling. When river temperatures rise too high, or flow rates drop too low, operators must reduce output or shut units down to comply with environmental limits. This summer's conditions have triggered those constraints across multiple sites, according to coverage from actu.fr.
The timing is sensitive for France's power grid. ZDNET noted that the country's network faces vulnerabilities from climate shocks, even as major investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure are planned. The report highlighted a contrast between ambitious AI spending and the physical limits of the electricity system during extreme weather.
The situation raises questions about how France will manage supply during the rest of the summer. With heatwaves expected to continue, EDF's ability to keep reactors running will remain a key factor for grid stability in the coming weeks.
