FRANCE - The Gravelines nuclear power plant in France, located on the English Channel coast, had to shut down three of its six reactors due to an unusually large number of jellyfish. Another unit is currently operating at a reduced capacity. Marine organisms have once again disrupted the operation of the facility, which relies on drawing and circulating large amounts of seawater.
An unusual problem has affected one of France's largest nuclear power plants. In Gravelines, in the north of the country, a massive influx of jellyfish disrupted the cooling system of the plant. The operator, EDF, subsequently shut down three reactors. The fourth unit continues to operate, but at reduced power.
Nuclear power plants use large amounts of water for cooling technological equipment. Gravelines is located directly on the coast and obtains some of the water needed for its operation from the English Channel. In the event of a large number of marine organisms, it can lead to clogging or restriction of the throughput of filtration systems and other equipment.
EDF has not yet specified exactly how the jellyfish affected the operation of individual units. However, the company emphasized that the shutdown of the reactors is a precautionary operational measure and, according to available information, does not pose a threat to the safety of the plant, its personnel, or the environment.
This is not the first similar incident in Gravelines. Last year, a large number of jellyfish entered the cooling system, clogging the filters of water pumps. Some reactors had to be disconnected from the electricity grid for several days. The event highlighted the vulnerability of coastal nuclear facilities to natural phenomena and changes in the marine environment.
The Gravelines power plant is located between the cities of Calais and Dunkirk on the northern coast of France. It was gradually brought into operation in the 1980s and has six pressurized water reactors. It is one of the key facilities of French nuclear energy, and its output represents a significant portion of electricity supply in the region.
According to EDF, the current incident does not constitute a nuclear accident or a safety hazard. Nevertheless, the shutdown of several units may have an impact on the immediate availability of part of France's production capacity. The resumption of full operation will depend on eliminating the cause of the restriction and checking the relevant systems.
The case also shows that even seemingly trivial natural factors can affect the operation of nuclear power plants. The mass occurrence of jellyfish is therefore a practical operational challenge for operators of coastal power plants, which can lead to temporary shutdowns of nuclear reactors.