France Cuts Nuclear Output as Heatwave Shrinks Britain's Import Buffer

EDF warned on 9 July that the ongoing European heatwave is straining cooling systems at up to five French nuclear reactors, forcing output curbs. France normally exports significant electricity to Britain via interconnectors. With French nuclear capacity offline precisely when continental demand peaks, Britain's grid operator faces tighter import options during domestic summer demand spikes—compounding domestic generation losses from heat-suppressed efficiency.