French heatwave cuts nuclear output, day-ahead power prices surge 22%
A new heatwave in France is hitting its nuclear power supply, with effects quickly transmitting to the electricity market. On Tuesday morning local time, LSEG data showed French day-ahead power prices rose as much as 21.8% to €142.5 per megawatt-hour, equivalent to approximately $164.39. The direct cause of the price surge is that operators expect nuclear output to be constrained during the midday peak demand period on Wednesday. Data from French utility EDF shows that due to this week's heatwave, France's nuclear generation capacity on Wednesday is expected to be reduced by 7.3 gigawatts, equivalent to 12% of total installed capacity. This marks at least the fifth time France has experienced extreme heat since June. For a country where about 70% of electricity comes from nuclear power, nuclear...
2026-08-12
