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Heatwave Forces Nuclear Plant Shutdowns in France and Switzerland Over Cooling Risks

Scorching Heatwave Forces Nuclear Power Plant Shutdowns in France and Switzerland
Rising river temperatures threaten cooling systems, biodiversity, and the future of European energy infrastructure

As Europe endures yet another extreme heatwave, the impact of soaring temperatures is being felt far beyond parched fields and sizzling city streets. This week, multiple nuclear power plants in France and Switzerland were forced to scale back operations or shut down entirely due to the record-breaking heat — highlighting how climate change is straining not just ecosystems, but also critical energy infrastructure.

Nuclear Cooling Systems Overwhelmed by Heat

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Nuclear power plants rely on water — lots of it — to keep their reactors cool. Typically, plants pump water from nearby rivers or seas to cool the reactor core and then discharge it back into the source at a higher temperature. However, this process becomes dangerous when the ambient water temperature is already elevated due to extreme weather.

If the discharged water is too warm, it risks harming aquatic life by raising river temperatures beyond survivable levels for local species. As a result, environmental regulations limit how much heat power plants can return to waterways. During heatwaves, those thresholds are quickly reached — leaving operators with no choice but to cut output or shut down altogether.

Switzerland: Beznau Reactor Taken Offline

In Switzerland, energy provider Axpo shut down one reactor at its Beznau nuclear power plant on Tuesday and reduced output at a second reactor to 50%. The decision came after the River Aare, which provides the plant’s cooling water, hit 25°C — a dangerously high temperature for aquatic ecosystems already under stress.

“Due to the high river water temperatures, Axpo has been increasingly reducing the output of the two reactor units at the Beznau nuclear power plant for days,” the company announced, noting that the move was taken to avoid “excessive warming of the already warm water.”

Switzerland is in the process of phasing out nuclear power entirely by 2033, but existing plants are allowed to continue operating as long as they are deemed safe. Still, the current shutdowns underscore the vulnerability of even well-established nuclear infrastructure in the face of a changing climate.

France: Multiple Plants Affected

Meanwhile in France — where around 65% of the country’s electricity comes from nuclear energy — the impact of the heatwave has been even more pronounced. French utility giant EDF shut down the Golfech nuclear power plant on Monday, citing fears that the local river could reach 28°C even without the additional heat from the plant’s cooling process.

Located in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in southern France, Golfech is not the only site affected. EDF has also reduced output at other reactors, including the Blayais plant in western France and the Bugey facility in the south, which both draw their cooling water from the Gironde and Rhône rivers, respectively.

While these shutdowns are temporary, they point to a growing structural challenge. As the planet warms, the very rivers that have long enabled nuclear power’s steady output may become too hot — or too low — to sustain operations during peak summer months.

Limited Grid Impact — For Now

Despite the disruptions, French grid operator RTE assured the public that the impact on the country’s electricity supply has been minimal. “All the nuclear power sites which are running are able to cover the needs of the French population,” RTE told FranceInfo. “France produces more electricity than it consumes and currently exports electricity to neighbouring countries.”

However, this balancing act becomes more precarious when demand spikes — particularly during heatwaves when air conditioning and refrigeration systems operate at full blast. While the grid remains stable for now, experts warn that energy consumption peaks during extreme heat events are only going to become more common as global temperatures continue to rise.

A Preview of Climate-Stressed Energy Systems

This summer’s shutdowns provide a stark preview of the future. Climate scientists have long warned that Europe’s aging nuclear infrastructure — much of it built decades ago under very different environmental conditions — is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events.

In recent years, similar shutdowns occurred during hot summers in 2018 and 2022, and the trend is expected to continue. What’s more, Europe’s push for low-carbon energy makes nuclear power a key part of its transition strategy, making the reliability of these plants all the more critical.

However, if extreme heat renders cooling systems unreliable or environmentally unsustainable, policymakers may be forced to rethink energy resilience strategies, including investing in new cooling technologies or diversifying supply with more renewables like solar and wind.

Looking Ahead

The shutdowns in France and Switzerland may have avoided immediate ecological harm and blackouts, but they represent a growing challenge for energy planners across Europe. As heatwaves become more intense and frequent, the continent’s reliance on thermoelectric power generation — especially nuclear — will be increasingly tested.

Climate change isn’t just raising the temperature — it’s rewriting the rules of energy infrastructure, forcing utilities and governments to adapt quickly or risk falling behind.

Conclusion

The shutdowns of nuclear power plants in France and Switzerland amid Europe’s ongoing heatwave are a clear signal that climate change is no longer a distant threat — it's disrupting core infrastructure today. As river temperatures soar and ecosystems teeter on the brink, the very systems designed to provide stable, low-carbon energy are becoming increasingly vulnerable.

While current impacts on energy supply remain manageable, the pattern is undeniable: extreme heat is putting unprecedented pressure on nuclear facilities, and with climate projections indicating more frequent and intense heatwaves, the problem will only escalate. To secure the future of nuclear energy — and Europe’s broader energy stability — urgent investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and alternative energy solutions are no longer optional, but essential.

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