Jellyfish force EDF to halt three Gravelines reactors

A massive influx of jellyfish in the seawater pumping stations of the Gravelines nuclear power plant has led EDF to shut down three of its reactors, according to an announcement made Tuesday on the company's website. This action also resulted in a reduction of power at a fourth reactor.

This incident occurs exactly one year after a similar episode that paralyzed the plant for 48 hours. Despite EDF's efforts to strengthen its monitoring systems, the company is facing new challenges related to the presence of jellyfish.

The increase in jellyfish along the northern coast of France is a regular and seasonal phenomenon. However, according to some sources, reports of large swarms of jellyfish have become increasingly frequent each summer in this region.

The French nuclear fleet is currently under pressure, having reached a record level of unavailability due to drought and heatwaves, which further complicates EDF's situation. This combination of issues highlights the environmental challenges facing the nuclear industry.

Rising ocean temperatures and overfishing are often cited as contributing factors to the summer proliferation of jellyfish. This raises questions about the broader environmental impact and the adaptation of infrastructure to these developments.

As the Gravelines plant shuts down several reactors due to this situation, increasing concern over the unavailability of nuclear facilities in France may spark discussions about the future of nuclear energy in the country.