Jellyfish Swarm Causes Shutdown of Three Reactors at French Nuclear Plant

A swarm of jellyfish has resulted in the shutdown of three reactors at the Gravelines nuclear power station in northern France, according to energy group EDF. The reactors were taken offline on Monday after jellyfish clogged the pumps used for cooling. EDF stated that in addition to the three reactors that were shut down, output from a fourth reactor was reduced by half. This left only one of the plant's six reactors operating at full capacity, with another already offline for scheduled maintenance.

EDF assured that the situation did not compromise the safety of the facilities, personnel, or the environment. The company highlighted that such incidents can occur due to the presence of marine life affecting cooling systems at power plants, particularly during warmer weather when jellyfish are more prevalent.

The situation remains under control, and EDF is addressing the issue to restore full operational capacity. Details about the timeline for returning the affected reactors to service have not been disclosed. The Gravelines plant is one of the largest nuclear facilities in France, and its operations play a significant role in the country's energy supply.