A swarm of jellyfish caused officials at Paluel NPP in France to shut down one of its reactors. A similar incident occurred at France’s Gravelines NPP in August. Paluel, based in Normandy, is the second-largest NPP in France with an output 5,200 MWe. Each of its four reactors generates 1,300 MWe. The incident reduced output by 2,400 MWe.
Paluel uses seawater as a coolant. The plant draws the water from the English Channel, which has warmer temperatures and ideal conditions for jellyfish reproduction.
In a statement, EDF said: “Production unit 4 was safely shut down by the operator following the arrival of jellyfish at the filters (pre-screens and filter drums) of the pumping station, located in the non-nuclear part of the facility,” EDF said. “At the same time, the power at unit 3 was reduced as a precaution.”
EDF added: “The plant teams are mobilised and are currently carrying out the necessary diagnostics and interventions to be able to restart unit 4 safely and restore full power to unit 3.”
