France has closed down three more nuclear reactors after the initial shutdowns earlier in July, media reports said on Tuesday, adding to concerns over potential electricity supply disruptions as many European nations fight recurring heat waves and drought.
French energy company EDF has shut down three nuclear reactors after drought conditions reduced water flows in the Meuse and Moselle rivers, Anadolu Agency (AA) indicated, citing local media reports.
Two reactors at the Chooz nuclear power plant in the northeastern Ardennes region and one at the Cattenom facility in Moselle remained offline as of Monday afternoon, according to Le Figaro.
EDF shut down Chooz reactor No. 1 late Saturday to comply with a 1998 Franco-Belgian agreement governing the management of the Meuse River. The plant’s second reactor has been offline since July 11 under the same agreement.
The accord allows electricity production to be adjusted to maintain sufficient water flows for users of the Meuse in both France and Belgium, EDF said.
