When extreme heat threatens Europe's nuclear power
Warm rivers and low water levels are forcing nuclear power plants to reduce output across Europe. Over a year, the losses are minimal, but on critical days the loss of power has consequences for grids and prices.
The Danube River underscores the vulnerability of European nuclear power plants to extreme heat. At Hungary's Paks plant, which provides roughly a quarter of the nation's electricity, only one of four reactors remains active due to dangerously low water levels. France dominates the European electricity market, relying heavily on nuclear power.
During individual weeks of intense heat, France's nuclear output can be significantly curtailed. Over the past two decades, annual production losses due to high water temperatures and low river levels have been less than 1%, but in extreme heat like 2003, losses reached nearly 1.5%. However, these annual figures mask short-term fluctuations.
During the 2003 heatwave, French reactors had to reduce output by over six gigawatts, and recent heatwaves have limited capacity by up to one-fifth. Heat waves increase electricity demand due to air conditioning, and French reserves are dwindling as the heat wave affects much of Europe. Nuclear plants discharge waste heat, which rises faster in less water.
Warm water also has lower oxygen levels, harming aquatic life. French authorities sometimes exempt reactors from these limits, allowing them to produce more electricity. Plants with cooling towers draw less water and discharge less heat, but they are still vulnerable, as seen at the Golfech plant on the warm and often low-water Garonne River.
In Belgium, Chooz plant reactors were throttled back in 2020 due to temperature concerns, despite their cooling towers. While weather isn't the only cause of reduced nuclear output, the French audit office projects that climate change could triple or quadruple nuclear curtailments by 2050. France plans to build some new reactors on the coast to mitigate this risk, but additional cooling towers, deeper water intakes, and better maintenance will be costly and require more land.
The effects of French curtailments are already felt in the European electricity market, with exports falling to about three gigawatts after a 4.1 gigawatt reduction due to high river temperatures.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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