Three French nuclear plants halted production during this week's record-breaking heatwave as rivers became too warm to cool them, raising questions over the long-term future of Europe's biggest nuclear fleet.
EDF, France's electricity operator, shut down one reactor at its Golfech nuclear plant on the Garonne on Monday after river temperatures approached the site's operating limit of 28C. Output has also been reduced at reactors in Bugey on the Rhône and Nogent-sur-Seine.
