France will resume construction of nuclear reactors to ensure energy independence, meet its climate targets and keep electricity prices under control. This was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron. The statement comes at a time when European countries are facing sharp increases in electricity and gas prices.
“In order to ensure France’s energy independence, secure electricity supplies and achieve climate goals, especially carbon neutrality in 2050, for the first time in decades we will resume nuclear reactor construction in our country and continue to develop renewable energy,” Macron said in a televised speech today. He added that this procedure is necessary to keep energy prices at a “reasonable” level.
Macron had previously promised to reduce the share of nuclear electricity in France by 50 percent from 75 percent by 2035. However, the current energy crisis in Europe has changed the attitude of the French government, writes Reuters.
France is taking a different path than Germany, which decided to withdraw from nuclear power after the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan in 2011. Although Macron did not provide any details today, according to Reuters, the French government is expected to announce the construction of up to six new nuclear reactors in the coming weeks.
A spokeswoman for the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade said last month that the Czech Republic and France were preparing an alliance of European Union member states in nuclear energy. The joint statement said, among other things, that “if Europe is to win the climate war, it needs nuclear energy. It is a vital and reliable source for everyone to secure a low-carbon future.” Bulgaria, Finland, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia also joined the plan. The French EdF is one of those interested in building a new nuclear unit in Dukovany.