France wants to accelerate the planned construction of new nuclear power plants. The cabinet in Paris will discuss a bill on Wednesday that should simplify procedures and thus save time. Since the initially six planned power plants will be built on the site of existing nuclear plants, certain approval procedures could be dispensed with – this is what the bill aims to do. This should come to Parliament early next year.
According to media reports, President Emmanuel Macron could lay the foundation stone for a new nuclear power plant before the end of his second term in 2027. The commissioning would take place between 2035 and 2037.
New bill sparks protests
The government’s draft law on the rapid construction of nuclear power plants is provoking protests as the results of a recently launched public participation on the future of nuclear power are not even awaited. The public debate, organized by the renationalising energy company EDF and the electricity grid company, started last week and will last until the end of February.
France continues to rely on nuclear energy
Unlike Germany, France wants to remain heavily dependent on nuclear energy for its energy supply. Macron announced a “renaissance of French nuclear power” in February. France is the second largest nuclear energy producer in the world after the United States. The country currently has 56 power plants, nearly half of which are currently off the grid for maintenance and repairs.
At the same time, however, renewable energy sources need to be expanded at an accelerated pace. A bill on this will also be discussed in the Senate on Wednesday. Macron recently demanded that renewable projects be implemented twice as fast as before.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
