Nuclear power plants in France temporarily halt operations due to jellyfish invasion during the heatwave.
In the heart of southwest France, temperatures are expected to soar to a scorching 43C (109F) over the next two days, according to weather forecasts. Meanwhile, off the west coast of France, a marine heatwave is intensifying, causing unusual warm waters to be observed near Gravelines in the English Channel. This warming of the oceans has led to a surge in jellyfish populations, posing a significant risk to coastal nuclear power plants.
On August 11, 2025, a massive swarm of jellyfish clogged the filter drums of the cooling water pumping stations at the Gravelines nuclear power plant in northern France. As a result, four out of six reactors were automatically shut down. The plant's operator, EDF, confirmed that the shutdowns did not impact the safety of personnel, the environment, or the facility itself. This incident was attributed to unusually warm sea temperatures in the English Channel, which can cause jellyfish populations to bloom.
Such ecological disruptions related to marine life, including invasive species like Asian moon jellyfish, have been reported at other coastal nuclear plants worldwide, such as sites in Sweden, Japan, and Scotland. The Torness nuclear station in Scotland, operated by EDF, has also been affected, albeit by excessive amounts of seaweed rather than jellyfish.
Despite no specific jellyfish-related shutdowns being reported at Torness, the site is recognised as potentially vulnerable. The mention of Scotland in broader analyses suggests that coastal plants there face comparable ecological risks and are part of ongoing concerns about climate-driven marine life disruptions to nuclear facilities.
In light of these incidents, calls for climate-adaptive solutions and improved ecological risk management for coastal nuclear power plants are growing. As the heatwave continues to intensify off the west coast of France, concerns about the impact on nuclear cooling procedures are heightened. High temperatures in the Garonne and Rhone rivers may compromise cooling procedures at some atomic sites, according to EDF.
The closure of the four atomic reactors at the Gravelines power plant is not expected to be permanent, with the 3.6 gigawatts of generating capacity set to be restored later this week, according to EDF. The Electricite de France (EDF) has also indicated potential curbs to its nuclear output due to the ongoing heatwave in Europe.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of climate change and nuclear energy production. As the world grapples with the challenges of a warming planet, finding solutions that balance the need for energy with the need to protect our ecosystems will be crucial.
References: [1] Meduseo. (n.d.). Jellyfish bloom off the French coast. Retrieved from https://www.meduseo.eu/en/news/jellyfish-bloom-off-the-french-coast [2] Copernicus Marine Service. (n.d.). Ocean and sea surface temperature data. Retrieved from https://marine.copernicus.eu/services-portfolio/access-to-products/ [3] EDF. (2025). Statement on Gravelines nuclear power plant shutdown. Retrieved from https://www.edf.fr/en/media-room/news/statement-on-gravelines-nuclear-power-plant-shutdown [4] International Atomic Energy Agency. (n.d.). Climate change and nuclear power plants. Retrieved from https://www.iaea.org/topics/climate-change/climate-change-and-nuclear-power-plants [5] The Guardian. (2025). Jellyfish force shutdown of French nuclear power plant. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/11/jellyfish-force-shutdown-of-french-nuclear-power-plant
- The surge in jellyfish populations, driven by changing ocean temperatures, has become a concern for environmental scientists studying the impact of climate change on marine life, particularly in relation to nuclear energy production.
- As the world continues to grapple with climate-driven marine life disruptions, such as the jellyfish bloom off the coast of France, the financial sector and energy industry are increasingly investing in solutions to prevent ecological risks at coastal nuclear facilities.
- With the increased awareness of the interconnectedness between climate change, nuclear energy production, and the well-being of our environment, researchers in environmental science are working towards innovative strategies that balance energy demands with the preservation of marine ecosystems.
