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Hot river water curbs output at French nuclear plant

Electrical power production at the Golfech nuclear plant in southern France was reduced by 1 gigawatt (GW) on Friday, EDF information revealed, after the energy stated high water temperatures on the Garonne river could mean reduced output till Aug. 10.

The constraints are the very first this year linked to high temperature levels, which normally represent less than one percent of annual production.

Nuclear output in France has actually been relatively constant this year, following years of disruption triggered by extended upkeep.

EDF in some cases limits production when temperature levels are near a. limit that varies depending on the nuclear plant.

On Thursday it extended a caution of possible reduced output. that had actually been expected to end on Saturday.

EDF was not instantly readily available for remark.

LSEG data revealed that the 28 Celsius (82.4 Fahrenheit). temperature level limitation for the River Garonne that cools Golfech was. breached when on July 31.

Only one of several forecasts revealed temperature levels going beyond. that level over the next week.

Dropping temperature levels in France should alleviate the pressure. and enable the plant to go back to typical generation levels. sooner. However, the start of next week has temperature levels. increasing as soon as again and issues might begin as soon as again, LSEG. analyst Ulrich Weber said.

He also said demand triggered by a heatwave in Southern Europe. ought to fall from Friday, and LSEG data revealed need would fall. in France on Monday.

French nuclear plants have some 44.7 GW of offered. capacity, with about 73% online.

While capability is minimized at Golfech 1, the Golfech 2. reactor is offline for maintenance, with load constraints. enforced for fuel cost savings, EDF said in an online note.

(source: Reuters)