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Nazrin Abdul

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Amid ongoing extreme heat in Western Europe, Switzerland’s Beznau Nuclear Power Plant, located in the Aargau canton, has been partially disconnected from the national grid, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

One of its reactors has been completely shut down, while the other is operating at only 50% capacity.

According to information, the plant’s operating company said the decision was made due to elevated water temperatures in the nearby Aare River.

The river water, used to cool the reactors, could cause environmental damage if returned at high temperatures. Releasing heated water back into the already overheated river could harm local flora and fauna, prompting the need for operational limits.

According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is warming at the fastest rate of any continent on Earth. Since the 1980s, temperatures in Europe have been rising at twice the global average.