Stay “on course” and at the pace of the accelerated revival of nuclear power. This is the objective that Emmanuel Macron set himself during a meeting with his “steering cabin” of the policy of the sector, one year after this turn desired by the Head of State in the face of the energy and climate crises. This nuclear policy council is taking place this Friday morning at the Elysée, in the presence of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, several ministers and representatives of the Nuclear Safety Authority and the Atomic Energy Commission.
On February 10, 2022 in Belfort, Emmanuel Macron, then campaigning for his re-election, had defined an energy policy which devoted his change of foot to civilian nuclear power, with this vast recovery plan, as well as the development of renewable energies, and a greater sobriety.
Since then, the adoption of a bill to develop renewable energies is on track in Parliament, and the Senate voted in first reading a text to accelerate and simplify the construction of new reactors.
A project “which weighs more than 60 billion euros”
Friday’s council is a stepping stone to respect, precisely, the timetable for the promised construction of six new reactors and small reactors of the SMR type. “Arbitrations” and “orientations” are expected at the end of the meeting, which must also launch “work” and “studies” so that the government can decide on the extension of the life of the existing reactors of 40 to 60 years, as requested by the operator EDF.
A presidential adviser mentioned a “mobilization issue” of all the players in the sector to ensure that the deadlines will be met. And this is a big issue. The year 2023 is crucial for the energy future of France, which must enshrine in law the share allocated to each energy, and in particular nuclear, to get out of fossil fuels and achieve carbon neutrality in 2050.
The presidency insisted on the historic nature of this “huge project” for the new reactors “which weighs more than 60 billion euros”, even if the key question of financing, which still has to be decided, is not at hand. Friday agenda.
“It is important that we have a site manager and that we can be able to meet all the deadlines and costs,” said an adviser, specifying that this mission would be “entrusted to the Prime Minister” .