France is considering building more than 14 new nuclear power plants by 2050 – more than previously announced. “Initially there are six reactors, eight are under consideration,” said Energy Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher on Wednesday in the business newspaper “Les Echos”. “But I very clearly asked the industry the question: can you go beyond 14 reactors in 2050?” She referred to climate protection as justification. “Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 will require us to produce more electricity en masse.”
The industry must first answer the question of how many power plants can be built by when. “Our energy mix must take into account the realities, both scientific and industrial realities. It should not be based on simple ideologies,” said the minister.
France is the second largest producer of nuclear energy in the world after the US and currently has 56 power plants. Parliament is currently debating a law that should speed up the construction of new nuclear power plants. The construction of the first new oven should start in 2027.
She continued: “I need to explain to Parliament the physical constraints associated with this new generation capacity, to shed light on the decision of the parliamentarians, to clarify how far we can technically go by 2050 in terms of solar energy, ocean wind energy and nuclear energy.” power, to make the best energy mix decisions.”
The energy company EDF, which is about to be fully renationalised, should produce more nuclear energy, the minister said. You have commissioned EDF to investigate whether the efficiency of the existing nuclear power stations can be increased. The controls of power plants currently being carried out aim to extend the lifespan from 40 to 50 years. “But we need to work on the next step, the transition from 50 to 60.”
Unlike Germany, France wants to remain heavily dependent on nuclear energy for its energy supply. A year ago, President Emmanuel Macron announced a “renaissance of French nuclear energy”. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
