France Halts Golfech Nuclear Plant Operations Amid Heatwave Threat

French national electricity company EDF officially suspended operations at the Golfech Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN) on Thursday (9/7). The emergency measure was taken after an extreme heatwave caused the water temperature in the Garonne River, which serves as the reactor’s cooling system, to rise sharply. “Unit number 2 at the EDF Golfech PLTN was temporarily shut down on Thursday, 9 July, at 11.30 local time (16.30 WIB),” EDF stated in an official release. The shutdown of the second unit leaves the entire Golfech facility completely inoperative, as the first reactor at the plant is already undergoing routine maintenance. The decision to halt operations is based on strict French regulations that require nuclear power plants to reduce capacity or cease electricity production entirely during extreme heat events to prevent further increases in river water temperatures. This measure is crucial for protecting the local aquatic ecosystem and biota. The Garonne River’s water temperature is predicted to continue climbing, reaching 28 degrees Celsius on Friday.