Will close, will not close? The French government will announce in the coming days whether or not it will shut down nuclear reactors as part of its “multiannual energy program” (EPP) for the years 2019-2028 . A key guidance document expected for more than four months in which the country must specify its trajectory of production and consumption of energy as part of its contribution to the European climate effort. If the executive has fallen behind in presenting its energy roadmap, it is because of the prevarication on the way to apply the law of 2015 by which France undertook to reduce to 50% the nuclear power in its electricity production. This share reaches an extravagant level (71% in 2017), unique in Europe. To return to the 50% nuclear level while respecting the other objectives of the 2015 energy transition law (on the reduction of energy consumption and the increase of renewable energy production, in particular to reach 40% of electricity from renewable origin by 2030), it should be recalled in 2016 the annual report of the Court of Auditors , that France is gradually closing 17 to 20 reactors out of 58, those who will gradually come to forty years of operation, the age limit for which they were designed. However, in this case, the government is listening to its nuclear lobby, which urges it to limit these closures as much as possible by extending the life of its nuclear reactors.
Alternative Economiques 21st Nov 2018 read more »
France installed 8,374MW of solar PV capacity as of 30 September 2018, but is set to miss its target of 10,200MW by the end of the year, according to data from Electricity Transmission Network (RTE). The country deployed 213MW of solar PV in Q3 2018, while 1,113MW was connected over the rolling year up to the same date. RTE said that the transmission and distribution networks continue to evolve to allow the integration of renewable electricity generation with an eye on the target of a 20% share of renewables in the electricity mix by 2030.
PV-Tech 23rd Nov 2018 read more »