The French nuclear regulator granted a temporary waiver for five nuclear plants to discharge hot water into rivers that may breach environmental standards as the nation struggles with an energy crisis.

ASN approved a request to keep the Bugey, Saint Alban, Tricastin, Blayais and Golfech plants in operation, even if the water they emit may exceed the authorized limit, according to a filing on grid operator RTE’s website. The exception brings some relief to the strained European power market, where prices are near record levels as extended heat waves have caused disruption to rivers and waterways used to carry fuel and cool power plants.