A major technical disruption linked to biological factors has temporarily impaired power generation at the Gravelines nuclear facility, one of the largest power stations in France. The operational capacity of the plant was dramatically scaled back after vast swarms of jellyfish overwhelmed the primary water intake systems sourced from the North Sea. The influx of marine life severely impeded the continuous circulation required for the facility’s vital thermal regulation process.

According to statements issued by the state-utility operator EDF, engineers were required to take immediate mitigation measures to prevent potential mechanical damage to internal cooling structures. As a direct result of the blockage, units 2, 3, and 4 were temporarily shut down completely. Furthermore, power generation at unit 1 was systematically reduced to half of its normal operating threshold to maintain safe internal temperatures.

The operational flexibility of the site is currently limited, as unit 5 was already offline undergoing scheduled maintenance prior to the event. Consequently, unit 6 remains the sole reactor delivering electricity to the national grid at standard operational levels. Facility managers have confirmed that all environmental safety controls remain intact and no radiological risks are associated with the ongoing incident.

This event marks the second consecutive year that high concentrations of jellyfish have interfered with the nuclear plant's cooling infrastructure. Although EDF had previously implemented updated early-detection protocols and reinforced monitoring mechanisms following last year's occurrence, the overwhelming volume of marine organisms managed to bypass existing containment barriers. Maintenance crews are currently working to clear the cooling intake channels to safely resume normal operations.