Why did Electricite de France SA shut down the Golfech-2 nuclear reactor?

Electricite de France SA shut down the Golfech-2 nuclear reactor due to a blistering heat wave pushing temperatures toward 40°C across parts of Europe, which constrained reactor cooling as many of France’s nuclear plants rely on river water for cooling and must limit discharging warmer water back into rivers when ambient river temperatures are already high due to environmental regulations.

What broader impact is the heat wave having on nuclear power generation in Europe beyond France?

Beyond France, Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant will cut capacity at block 2 by 50% due to low water levels in the Danube River—the fourth such capacity cut in two days—while France’s Tricastin plant also faces overnight production cuts for the same reason: soaring river temperatures limiting safe cooling operations.

France Shuts Off More Nuclear Power as Heat Builds Across Europe

Jul 30, 2026

EDF halted the Golfech-2 reactor during a European heatwave, joining record nuclear outages straining power supply. Hungary's Paks plant similarly reduced capacity due to low river levels hindering cooling.

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