Three Reactors Shut Down at French Nuclear Plant Due to Jellyfish Swarm
Summary
Three reactors at the Gravelines nuclear power plant in northern France were shut down after a swarm of jellyfish clogged cooling pumps. EDF said the incident did not affect safety, while France’s nuclear output was already under pressure from heat and drought.
Key Points
- A swarm of jellyfish entered cooling pump systems and forced three reactors at the Gravelines nuclear power plant to shut down.
- EDF said the plant’s safety, staff, and environment were not affected, but output from a fourth reactor was cut in half.
- France’s nuclear power production has already fallen this year because extreme heat and drought forced other reactor shutdowns.
- Experts say climate change, overfishing, and plastic pollution are helping jellyfish populations grow.
