France will study the prolongation of the useful life of the Nuclear reactors from 40 years old to 60 years or older, the French presidency announced this Friday.
The nuclear sector is one of the priorities of the French president, Emmanuel Macronwhich is committed to the “renaissance” of this energy to face the energy and climate crisis.
Macron met his council of nuclear policy to examine this commitment and how to accelerate its measures, such as the construction of six new reactors.
The council “has validated the launch of studies that allow preparing the prolongation of the useful life of the existing plants up to 60 years of age and over, under strict security conditions”, reads a statement from the presidency.
In 2019, the nuclear sector it ensured 70.6% of the electricity production in France, followed by hydraulic (11.2%) and conventional cycle thermoelectric (7.9%), according to the EDF company.
Although the trend in Europe since the nuclear accident fukushima in 2011 it was to reduce the weight of the nuclear sector and even close plants, the Russian invasion of Ukraine turned it around.
The European Union (EU) decided to reduce its dependence on Russian gas and look for alternatives, while Russian President Vladimir Putin, in turn, cut off supplies to Europe.
Some countries like:
- Germany and Belgium decided to extend the life of some reactors and in France the president announced in February 2022 a “renaissance” of the nuclear energy.
Within the framework of this plan, which provides for six new EPR2 type reactors “by 2035”, EDF hopes to end the 40-year limit on the useful life of the current 56 reactors.
energy future
The year 2023 promises to be crucial for the energy future from France. Two bills — one on the development of renewable energy and the other on nuclear — are advancing in Parliament.
France must also inscribe in the law what part it grants to each energy in its energetic matrixin order to abandon fossil fuels and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
