France Plans Complete Shift To Nuclear Power
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France intends to build 14 new nuclear reactors by 2050 to become self-reliant on energy and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050
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Currently, 44% of the total installed capacity in France is generated from nuclear energy
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In 2021, 5% of the world's total installed capacity was generated from nuclear energy
France Plans Complete Shift To Nuclear Power
France recently announced that it would build 14 new nuclear reactors by 2050 to become self-reliant on energy and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Incidents such as climate change, natural gas shortages, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war have made France consider nuclear a low-carbon and reliant source of energy.
Global Energy Demand
In 2021, the world's total installed capacity was 8,159 GW, an annual increase of 4.4%. Energy demand will exceed supply in the coming years as the global population increases. Governments across the world are considering efficient and cleanest energy sources to meet the future demand for energy and achieve the net-zero emissions target by 2050.
Nuclear is one of the low-carbon energy sources, and recently the European Commission (EC) has declared nuclear energy as green energy under the EU taxonomy. According to the EC, nuclear power plants would be considered green if the sites can manage to dispose of radioactive waste safely. In 2021, 5% of the world's total installed capacity came from nuclear energy, with a total nuclear installed capacity of 389 GW.
France's Expertise in Nuclear
France is one of the leading countries in the efficient utilization of nuclear energy. Since the 1970s, nuclear energy has been a cornerstone of the French economy. In 2021, 44% of the total installed capacity was from nuclear, followed by hydro (19%), wind (13%), and thermal (13%). France is considering building more nuclear reactors to reduce carbon emissions, meet the energy demand, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The major nuclear plants in the country are:
- Civaux 1 and Civaux 2, owned by Electricite de France SA, are nuclear power plants with a capacity of 1.6 GW each, located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Both nuclear plants have been active since 2002.
- Chooz B1, a nuclear power plant in Grand Est owned by Electricite de France SA, has a capacity of 1.6 GW. The nuclear power plant has been operational since 2000.
- State-owned nuclear power reactors Flamanville 1 and Flamanville 2, which have a combined capacity of 2.8 GW, are in Normandy. Both nuclear power plants have been operational since 1986 and 1987, respectively.
Concerns Over Nuclear Plants
Nuclear can be a low-carbon energy source, but it comes with risks. Zaporizhzhia, Europe's largest nuclear power station, was recently attacked during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, raising global concerns. The world has faced disasters related to nuclear reactors earlier. The Chernobyl nuclear power facility exploded in 1986, releasing more radioactivity than the Hiroshima blasts. It also left behind a desolate landscape with restricted human access. In 2011, a massive tsunami hit the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, resulting in a major disaster that led to the evacuation of thousands of people from the area. In 2021, the Taishan reactor in China had to be shut down due to damage to the fuel rods in one of the reactor units, leading to concerns about radioactive leakages.
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