France will start building its 1st new nuclear reactors in decades as part of efforts to meet its promises to reduce planet-warming emissions, French President Emmanuel Macron announced.
The President’s position contrasts with Germany, where nuclear power is on course to be phased out by next year.
France is Europe’s most nuclear-dependent country, getting around 70 per cent of its electricity from nuclear energy.
Speaking as the COP26 climate summit, Macron said ”This is why, to guarantee France’s energy independence, to guarantee our country’s electricity supply and achieve our objectives, in particular carbon neutrality in 2050, we are going, for the 1st time in decades, to re-launch the construction of nuclear reactors in our country and continue to develop renewable energies.”
According to him, ”These investments will allow us to live up to our commitments and as we close COP26 in Glasgow, this is a strong message from France.’’
The country is currently building a new 3rd-generation EPR nuclear reactor.
The project, launched in 2007, is delayed and likely to be ready by 2023.
France is leading a group of EU countries advocating for nuclear power to be recognised as a low-cost and climate-friendly provider of energy security.
Politicians are divided over whether nuclear energy should be included in global plans to reduce carbon emissions.
The EU’s decision on whether or not nuclear is «sustainable has yet to be made. (Neftegaz.RU)
