Climate of Our Future

Climate Crisis Coalition

Will Summer Heat Again Force France to Shut Down Nuclear Plants?
By Anita Elash, The Toronto Globe and Mail, June 22, 2007.

“The French have long been proud of the fact that nearly 80 per cent of their electricity comes from a sophisticated network of nuclear power plants… prepares for a predicted heat wave this summer, the French electrical utility is also preparing for the possibility that its beloved nuclear power system may not be able to cope. And environmentalists warn that’s a sign that nuclear power may not be, as many now argue, a solution to global warming… French… nuclear power plants were pushed to their limit during the heat wave that swept across Europe in 2003. Environmental rules ban Electricité de France (EDF)from discharging water above a certain temperature, so the utility either reduced output or shut down 17 of its 58 reactors. The state-owned EDF, which normally exports power, was forced to buy energy on the open market at prices as high as 10 times the average summer price… EDF says it hopes to have fewer interruptions this summer. It hopes to cut back on demand by negotiating contracts to give some companies better rates if they are willing to shut down during a heat wave. It is also storing extra water for cooling, will rely more on its seaside plants, and has received permission to raise the water temperature in lakes and rivers by as much as three degrees C above the normal limit. It is also investing in wind power and upgrading fossil fuel plants because they are better at coping with periodic peak demand.”