Heatwave causes widespread power outages in France

France is grappling with extensive power outages affecting 85,000 homes, primarily in the Brittany region, as a severe heatwave strains the nation's electricity infrastructure. The extreme temperatures have led to a surge in demand for cooling, overwhelming the grid and causing widespread disruptions.

The country's power network is showing signs of fragility, with underground cables reportedly weakened by the heat. Compounding the issue, nuclear reactors, a key source of electricity for France, have been forced to slow down. This slowdown is attributed to the rising water temperatures in rivers used for cooling, a common consequence of heatwaves that impacts nuclear plant operations.

The combination of increased demand and reduced supply capacity due to infrastructure strain and nuclear plant limitations has pushed the electricity grid to its limits. Authorities are working to manage the situation and restore power, but the ongoing heatwave presents a persistent challenge to maintaining a stable energy supply across the country.