EDF poised to cut nuclear power output as French rivers get too warm

Company expects lowest power production in three decades as ability to cool plants is restricted

The French energy supplier EDF has signalled it is likely to reduce output at its nuclear power stations on the Rhone and Garonne rivers as heatwaves push up river temperatures, restricting its ability to use the river water to cool the plants.

The state-owned company, Europe's biggest producer of nuclear energy, said its power stations on the two rivers were likely to produce less electricity in the coming days, but would maintain a minimum level of output to keep the grid steady, Bloomberg News reported.