2023-08-26 14:27:00
Contents
The mayor of Fessenheim near the Swiss border has announced that it will apply for one of the new reactors planned in France. An old, emotional dispute flares up once more.
Three years ago, what was then the oldest nuclear power plant in France, Fessenheim, was shut down. Because of safety problems and political pressure from Switzerland and Germany, the French government took the nuclear power plant off the grid following much back and forth.
I demand a new nuclear power plant, a new generation of reactors, here in Fessenheim.
The mayor of Fessenheim, Claude Brender, is convinced that this was a big mistake and therefore went on the offensive: “I demand a new nuclear power plant, a new generation of reactors, here in Fessenheim. Our community should remain a production site for electricity.»
Legend: Mayor Claude Brender hopes that the construction of a new AKWS will create jobs and tax revenue. SRF / Sedrik Eichkorn
Brender defended himself at the forefront once morest the closure of the Fessenheim nuclear power plant. He fought on the streets for jobs and tax revenue. From Brender’s point of view, Fessenheim is the ideal location for a new nuclear power plant: The community is on the Rhine, with whose water the reactors can be cooled and the electricity network is already well developed because of the old plant.
Rudolf Rechsteiner, former national councilor of the SP and vice president of the trinational nuclear protection association, is shocked by the idea of a new nuclear power plant in Fessenheim. For years he fought side by side with other nuclear opponents from Germany and Switzerland at the old nuclear power plant in Fessenheim. “I would have really liked to spare myself another fight once morest nuclear power in Fessenheim,” he says.
Legend: Opponents of nuclear power have been calling for Fessenheim to be shut down for decades. Here, activists form a human chain in front of the power plant in Fessenheim in 2011. KEYSTONE / WINFRIED ROTHERMEL
Despite the dismantling of the old nuclear power plant in Fessenheim: France is currently relying heavily on nuclear energy – especially on new and smaller plants that can be built faster and in more remote locations. By 2030, France wants to develop so-called “small modular reactors”.
SRF correspondent Mirjam Mathis on nuclear energy in France
Open box Close box
Legend: France correspondent Mirjam Mathis SRF/Oscar Alessio
In contrast to Germany and Switzerland, France continues to rely heavily on nuclear energy. Two thirds of all electricity generation currently comes from nuclear power plants.
Ex-President François Hollande wanted to reduce the share of nuclear energy to 50 percent, but Emmanuel Macron has now buried these plans and is investing heavily in nuclear power. A few months ago, Parliament passed a law to speed up the construction process of new nuclear facilities. In a first phase, the construction of a total of six new EPR2 pressurized water reactors at the Bugey, Penly and Gravelines sites is planned, eight more might follow later.
And at the same time, France supports the research and realization of small, modular reactors with one billion euros. The goal: from 2035, the first such reactors are to be put into operation. It is not yet clear at which locations.
According to the nuclear industry and nuclear science, this new generation of nuclear power plants should be safer. “The probability that the new nuclear power plants will cause a serious accident is almost zero,” says Annalisa Manera, Professor of Nuclear Safety at ETH Zurich.
The probability that the new nuclear power plants will suffer a serious accident is almost zero.
China, the USA and Russia are all very interested in this technology – despite the continuing problem of nuclear waste disposal.
Caption: Former National Councilor of the SP and Vice President of the trinational nuclear protection association, Rudolf Rechsteiner, is shocked by the idea of a new nuclear power plant in Fessenheim. SRF / Sedrik Eichkorn
Rechsteiner considers this development to be very dangerous. He is ready to fight a second time, to take to the streets a second time once morest a nuclear power plant in Fessenheim. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be an accident – even a war or a terrorist attack harbor great risks,” he says, “I find it extremely arrogant to claim that such a dangerous facility is safe.” The resistance around Fessenheim is now flaring up once more, three years following the old plant was shut down.
With the scenario of a new nuclear power plant on the doorstep, Northwestern Switzerland is not alone. France is also planning two more reactors in Bugey, near Geneva. There is already resistance there too.
1693072529
#Dispute #nuclear #power #plant #plans #reactor #Fessenheim #meet #criticism #News