EDF will stop this week the two nuclear reactors of the Golfech power station in the Tarn-et-Garonne due to the heat wave, announced the electrician Monday. The number 2 reactor at Golfech is scheduled to come to a halt on Tuesday evening and the number 1 reactor from Wednesday, the company said on its website. Their restart is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30. "The end date of this judgment for environmental constraints corresponds to the end of the available temperature forecasts.This decision is likely to continue," said EDF.
EDF had warned that the plant could be slowed or even stopped
The group warned last week that the Central Golfech, which has two reactors of 1,300 MW each, could be slowed down or even stopped "because of the temperature forecast on the Garonne". The electrician uses the water of the rivers to cool the reactors before rejecting it, but it must not exceed a certain temperature, in order to avoid harmful consequences for the aquatic flora and fauna. EDF can therefore stop reactors or simply reduce the power of some units if necessary.
Météo-France placed Monday afternoon 38 additional departments in orange heat alert, bringing the total to 59 for this new wave of heat. Electricity consumption in France will grow this week with the heat wave, but the production will be sufficient, said Monday RTE, the manager of the high voltage network.