One-fifth of France's nuclear capacity offline due to extreme weather and jellyfish

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.

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.

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

Experts say overfishing, plastic pollution and warming seas due to climate change have created conditions allowing jellyfish to thrive and reproduce.