France's ambitious nuclear move. 14 new reactors planned to slash fossil fuel reliance by 2035
On Sunday, Energy Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher told "Tribune Dimanche" that the current project law encompasses not only the construction of the previously approved six reactors but also an extra eight. The objective of these new plans is to lower France's reliance on fossil fuels from over 60% to 40% of its total energy consumption by 2035.
10:43 AM EST, January 9, 2024
The Energy Minister believes that achieving this reduction will call for building additional power plants with a combined capacity of 13 gigawatts, starting in 2026.
As per French state energy company EDF's data, the first tests of the inaugural EPR reactor in France are due to be conducted in Flamanville, Normandy, in mid-2024. This is 17 years after construction began. The estimated final cost of this venture is forecasted to reach 12.7 billion euros, quadruple the initial budget.
In line with the proposed reform of the European electricity market within the European Union, state subsidies for nuclear power plants will still be permitted. Even though the federal government has been advocating exclusively for renewable energy, this proposition has been turned down. In Germany, the last three nuclear power plants were decommissioned in April this year.
