France takes nuclear reactors offline amid record heatwave
France has temporarily taken multiple nuclear reactors offline as a record heatwave warms the rivers used for cooling. These shutdowns are environmental precautions to prevent discharging excessive hot water into the river systems. The extreme heat has caused temperature records to be broken across Europe.
What changed
Recent reports specify the closure of reactors at Nogent-sur-Seine and Bugey following the earlier shutdown of a Golfech unit.
Live updates
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France Shuts Down Nuclear Reactors During Record Heatwave
confidence 90%France has temporarily taken multiple nuclear reactors offline as a record heatwave warms the rivers used for cooling. These shutdowns are environmental precautions to prevent discharging excessive hot water into the river systems. The extreme heat has caused temperature records to be broken across Europe.
What's confirmed:
- France shut down multiple nuclear reactors as a precaution during a record heatwave.
- Reactors were taken offline because river temperatures became too high to safely cool them.
- The shutdowns aim to avoid discharging too much hot water into warming rivers.
- Global warming has made the European heatwave 2-4°C worse.
Still unconfirmed:
- At least 18 heat-related deaths and 40 drownings occurred since June 18, 2026.
- The heat this week was worse than a dire scenario imagined for 2050.