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Released April 24, 2017 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The French government has issued a decree to shut the country's oldest nuclear plant by 2020.
The government has ordered operator Électricité de France SA (EPA:EDF) (Paris, France) to shut Fessenheim when a new nuclear power plant at Flamanville comes online sometime in 2020. The decree comes just a week after EDF's board acted to extend the life of the plant beyond the wishes of the outgoing French president, Francois Hollande, who wanted the plant shut down before he left office next month. For additional information, see April 14, 2017, article - EDF Refuses Early Shutdown of Oldest Nuclear Plant.
The government stated: "The decree repeals, at the request of the operator, the authorisation to operate the Fessenheim nuclear power plant owned by EDF, from date of entry into service of the Flamanville 3 EPR reactor."
The French Energy Minister Ségolène Royal, who wants France to cut its nuclear reliance, commented: "It is said, it is done. I encourage EDF to pursue and strengthen investments in renewable energies: solar, wind, geothermal, marine energy, hydroelectricity, to reduce the share of nuclear energy to 50%, as required by law. I would add that this closure does not entail any job cuts by EDF because a large industrial decommissioning site will be able to start."
The decision may eventually seal the fate of Fessenheim, but it has endorsed EDF's decision to extend the life of the plant until the Flamanville 3 project gets up and running. However, Flamanville 3 is a very troubled project. It was meant to showcase the new European Pressurized Reactor (EPR), developed by EDF and French engineering giant AREVA S.A. (EPA:CEI) (Paris, France). The start date was originally 2012, but technical issues have resulted in numerous delays and spiralling costs. The project will cost more than three times its original budget of 3.3 billion euro ($3.5 billion).
EDF workers' unions and management have defied the government in recent years over the controversial Fessenheim plant, which is now 40 years old and has been the subject of numerous incidents. Located in eastern France, it sits just a mile from the German border and 25 miles from Switzerland and has two 900-megawatt (MW) reactors.
The closure of Fessenheim will begin France's drive to reduce its reliance on nuclear power. EDF's 58 reactors provide the country with roughly 75% of its electricity. The French government has committed itself to cutting that reliance to 50%, while boosting its investment in renewable energy. For additional information, see October 16, 2014, article - France to Cut Nuclear Reliance to 50%.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
The government has ordered operator Électricité de France SA (EPA:EDF) (Paris, France) to shut Fessenheim when a new nuclear power plant at Flamanville comes online sometime in 2020. The decree comes just a week after EDF's board acted to extend the life of the plant beyond the wishes of the outgoing French president, Francois Hollande, who wanted the plant shut down before he left office next month. For additional information, see April 14, 2017, article - EDF Refuses Early Shutdown of Oldest Nuclear Plant.
The government stated: "The decree repeals, at the request of the operator, the authorisation to operate the Fessenheim nuclear power plant owned by EDF, from date of entry into service of the Flamanville 3 EPR reactor."
The French Energy Minister Ségolène Royal, who wants France to cut its nuclear reliance, commented: "It is said, it is done. I encourage EDF to pursue and strengthen investments in renewable energies: solar, wind, geothermal, marine energy, hydroelectricity, to reduce the share of nuclear energy to 50%, as required by law. I would add that this closure does not entail any job cuts by EDF because a large industrial decommissioning site will be able to start."
The decision may eventually seal the fate of Fessenheim, but it has endorsed EDF's decision to extend the life of the plant until the Flamanville 3 project gets up and running. However, Flamanville 3 is a very troubled project. It was meant to showcase the new European Pressurized Reactor (EPR), developed by EDF and French engineering giant AREVA S.A. (EPA:CEI) (Paris, France). The start date was originally 2012, but technical issues have resulted in numerous delays and spiralling costs. The project will cost more than three times its original budget of 3.3 billion euro ($3.5 billion).
EDF workers' unions and management have defied the government in recent years over the controversial Fessenheim plant, which is now 40 years old and has been the subject of numerous incidents. Located in eastern France, it sits just a mile from the German border and 25 miles from Switzerland and has two 900-megawatt (MW) reactors.
The closure of Fessenheim will begin France's drive to reduce its reliance on nuclear power. EDF's 58 reactors provide the country with roughly 75% of its electricity. The French government has committed itself to cutting that reliance to 50%, while boosting its investment in renewable energy. For additional information, see October 16, 2014, article - France to Cut Nuclear Reliance to 50%.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
