2023-05-16 18:04:00
The reactors are to be built near existing nuclear power plants. The approval procedures should be shortened for this. 399 deputies voted for the law, in addition to Macron’s ruling party, the right-wing populists from the Rassemblement National, the conservative Republicans and the communists. 100 no votes came from the Greens and the left-wing populist party La France Insoumise. The Socialists abstained.
In addition to shorter approval procedures, the new law also abolishes the goal that has been in force since 2015 of reducing the proportion of nuclear power from originally more than 70 to 50 percent by 2035. In addition, the maximum limit for nuclear power decided at the same time, which was previously 63 gigawatts, will be overturned. This should clear the way for the construction of new reactors.
criticism from opponents
Opponents of nuclear power point out that such a political turnaround should not be contained in a more technical law, but rather requires a public debate. A law on the energy supply for the coming years and on the planned electricity mix is planned for the summer. The environmental organization Greenpeace accuses France of “violently pushing through” the restart of the nuclear industry.
Energy Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher also wanted to receive the representatives of a European pro-nuclear alliance on Tuesday, in which 16 countries are involved, including Belgium, Poland and Sweden. Italy was invited as an observer and Great Britain as a special guest. The EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson was also expected.
Goal: independent value chain
The aim is to set up an independent, European value chain, according to the French. The French company Orano therefore wants to produce more enriched uranium in Tricastin in the future in order to have to import less from Russia.
French nuclear power production has suffered from numerous reactor shutdowns over the past year. The aging stock of nuclear power had produced less than it had in three decades. In March, cracks in the lines of the emergency cooling system on several reactors were reported once more, which were significantly deeper than the previously known damage.
Macron still wants to lay the foundation
In February 2022, Macron announced the move towards a renewed expansion of nuclear power. During his term of office, he wants to have the foundations laid for the first two of six planned new nuclear reactors that are to be built in Penly on the English Channel. Macron justifies the nuclear policy by saying that nuclear power is low in emissions and contributes to the country’s independent energy supply.
Critics point out that France imports regarding half of the uranium needed for the nuclear power plants from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. According to Greenpeace, the transport of the raw material will continue to be controlled by the Russian company Rosatom.
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