EDF Warns Against French Nuclear Shutdowns

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland) - Europe's largest user of nuclear power has been warned that its nuclear fleet will be unable to meet over half of France's power needs after 2025.

Electricite de France (EPA:EDF) (Paris), which runs 58 reactors that supply almost 75% of the country's energy today, has told the government that nuclear will cover less than half of France's needs by 2025-2030 as energy demand will outstrip resources. The warning comes at a turbulent time for nuclear power in France as the current French President, Francois Hollande, promised to shut the country's oldest nuclear power plant, Fessenheim by 2016, in addition to reducing the country's reliance on nuclear power to 50% by shutting 24 plants over the next 13 years. For additional information, see July 24, 2013, article - France to Shut Oldest Nuclear Plant.

Speaking to Parliament, EDF's Chief Executive Officer, Henri Proglio, argued: "By our estimates, the existing fleet will probably barely suffice to meet 50 percent of French electricity needs around 2030. Energy needs in France will continue to grow."

Proglio said that increased French economic and population growth is pushing electricity demand higher, and called on the government not to support the President's goal of shutting a large number of nuclear power plants in the coming decade. He also pointed out that France enjoys significantly cheaper electricity costs than other European countries, thanks to its nuclear fleet.

Proglio reiterated that EDF is willing to spend roughly €55 billion ($77 billion) in the coming decade to overhaul its reactor fleet. However, the investment is conditional on the government extending the lives of the reactors from the current 40 years to 50 years.

France is conducting a wide-ranging energy debate before setting out its new energy plan in a few months. It is expected that the country will carry through on earlier promises to markedly transition the country towards more renewable energy. Last September the government announced that the transition to renewables would have to be supported by a tax on all fossil fuels as well as a levy on nuclear power. The so-called 'climate energy contribution' will have no impact this year, but will raise an estimated €2.5 billion ($3.4 billion) in 2015 and €4 billion ($5.4 billion) in 2016. For additional information, see September 25, 2013, article - French Tax to Fund Renewable Energy Shift.

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