Heatwave and jellyfish: a fifth of French nuclear capacity offline

France generates around 70% of its electricity from nuclear power. This year output was disrupted by multiple heatwaves and droughts.

France on Wednesday recorded a more than 20 percent shortfall in nuclear power production capacity, a record deficit caused by environmentally related outages linked to drought, extreme heat and a jellyfish invasion.

France uses nuclear power to generate around 70 per cent of its electricity.

In total, 13 of the 57 reactors in EDF's nuclear fleet were affected, resulting in a more than 20% shortfall in nuclear power production capacity, a record deficit.

In total, 13 of the 57 reactors in EDF's nuclear fleet were affected, resulting in a more than 20% shortfall in nuclear power production capacity, a record deficit.

The offline power comes as the country is forecast to see temperatures near 104F in the coming days.

The jellyfish invasion is the latest in a series of climate change-driven incidents that have affected a record number of French nuclear reactors over the summer.

A nuclear plant in northern France shut down three reactors after a swarm of jellyfish clogged pumps used to cool the units, energy group EDF said on Tuesday. Three reactors were taken offline on Monday and output at a fourth was cut by half, EDF said in a statement, leaving just one operating at full capacity. A sixth

A nuclear plant in northern France shut down three reactors after a swarm of jellyfish clogged pumps used to cool the units, energy group EDF said on Tuesday.

Jellyfish-hit French nuclear plant shuts down three reactors  reuters.com