UPDATE: A significant disruption strikes one of Europe’s largest nuclear power facilities as a swarm of jellyfish forces an urgent shutdown. The Gravelines nuclear power plant in northern France halted operations on August 12, 2025, after a “massive and unpredictable” invasion of jellyfish clogged its sea water intake system.
BREAKING: Just before midnight, four of the plant’s six units automatically shut down when filter drums became overwhelmed. A fifth reactor followed suit just hours later. This shutdown impacts the region’s energy supply significantly, as each unit generates 900 megawatts of power.
Authorities confirmed that the jellyfish invasion posed no threat to staff or the environment. Luckily, the swarming creatures did not damage the facility’s pumps, but they must be removed, and filters cleaned before any reactors can be restarted.
The Gravelines area has a history of jellyfish swarms, with similar events affecting nearby beaches in recent years. Experts attribute this unusual phenomenon to rising sea temperatures linked to global warming and the spread of invasive species. Marine biology consultant Derek Wright from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated, “Jellyfish breed faster when water is warmer, and because areas like the North Sea are becoming warmer, the reproductive window is getting wider and wider.”
Wright added, “Everyone talks about nuclear being clean, but we don’t think about the unintended consequences of heat pollution.” This incident raises critical questions about the effects of climate change on energy infrastructure and highlights the need for adaptive measures in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
As the situation develops, it is vital to monitor updates from EDF regarding the timeline for restarting operations at the Gravelines plant. The energy sector in Europe is already under pressure, and this unexpected shutdown could lead to further complications in power distribution across the region.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds. The implications of this jellyfish invasion extend beyond just the immediate energy disruption; they may signal larger ecological shifts affecting our planet’s future.
