France to build 6 nuclear reactors as part of climate goals

President Emmanuel Macron places nuclear power at the heart of his country’s drive for carbon neutrality by 2050

Nuclear energy currently provides about 70 per cent of French electricity, more than in any other country

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French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at the GE Steam Power System main production site for its nuclear turbine systems in Belfort, eastern France. Photo: EPA

Published: 9:56am, 11 Feb 2022

France plans to build six new nuclear reactors and to extend the life of its existing nuclear plants as part of the country’s strategy to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday.

Macron said the construction work would start around 2028 so the first new reactor can be launched by 2035. He also asked for studies on potentially expanding the programme to eight reactors.

“I want no reactor that has the capability of producing (electricity) to be closed in the future … unless obviously for safety reasons,” the president said.

The move comes amid concerns about spikes in energy prices and France’s dependence on global gas and oil producers.

Macron announced what he described as “the renaissance of the French nuclear” in the eastern town of Belfort, the home of GE Energy’s European headquarters. Before his visit, French electricity giant EDF announced a deal to buy the nuclear turbines branch of the American manufacturer.