Nuclear Power Plant at ocean's edge

Cany-Barville, France

A secure supply of cooling water is essential to any power plant, especially nuclear. This plant, on of the largest in France (capacity 5.528 GW) has experienced intermittent problems with blockage by algae of cooling water intakes from the English Channel. In 2021 a fire in a non-nuclear part of the plant forced a shut-down. Any plant using salt water for cooling must battle a continuous corrosion problem.

The installed total output of 5.528 GW makes it one of the largest nuclear power stations in France. By electrical output it is second place in France and seventh place worldwide. It feeds on average 32 billion kilowatt-hours into the public electricity grid every year.

Thanks to pilot @jf_bech for flight support