Fact Sheet
Europe’s heatwaves are testing nuclear plants. What does it mean for nuclear energy in a warming climate?
As extreme heat and drought put pressure on energy infrastructure across Europe, this explainer breaks down what recent nuclear power disruptions actually mean: why some European reactors reduced output during the heatwave, how cooling-system design, water availability, and environmental protection limits affect nuclear plant operations, and what these events tell us about designing and operating nuclear power plants in a changing climate.