Why is EDF considering adding extra cooling towers to some of its nuclear plants?

EDF is considering adding extra cooling towers at some of its nuclear reactors—starting with Golfech—to adapt to rising river temperatures caused by climate change, as heat waves force the utility to cut nuclear output to prevent harm to aquatic wildlife from overheated discharge water; such curtailments, though averaging only 0.3% of annual nuclear generation since 2000, risk driving up power prices when renewables cannot compensate, and simulations project a 1.5% loss in nuclear output by 2050 without adaptation measures.

What is the scale and scope of EDF’s planned climate adaptation investment for its nuclear and hydro assets?

EDF plans to spend €8.7 billion ($10.1 billion) by 2040 to adapt its 57 nuclear reactors and hundreds of dams to severe climate events—including floods, droughts, storms, and heat waves—and is also investing in new hydro-pumped power stations and dam upgrades, as hydroelectric output (currently ~40 TWh/year) is projected to decline by about 1 TWh each decade due to climate change.

EDF Mulls Adding Cooling Towers to Nuclear Plants Amid Warming

Jun 2, 2026

EDF plans to invest €8.7 billion by 2040 to adapt its nuclear fleet to climate change, adding cooling towers to prevent output cuts during heat waves. The utility aims to minimize projected generation losses of 1.5% by 2050.

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