France may close as many as 17 reactors by 2025 as it seeks to reduce the share of nuclear power in its electricity mix, Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot said on Monday. Speaking on RTL radio, Hulot referred to new Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s decision to stick to the previous government’s goal of cutting the nuclear contribution to 50 percent of France’s electricity needs from 75 percent currently. “To meet the target it’s clear enough that you need to close a certain number of reactors,” Hulot said. “It could be as many as 17 reactors – we’ll have to take a closer look.”
Reuters 10th July 2017 read more »
French utility EDF would not be part of the French government’s plan to sell 10 billion euros ($11.40 billion) worth of state assets to finance projects geared toward innovation, a source close to EDF’s management said on Saturday. The French government owns 83.1 percent in the world’s biggest operator of nuclear plants, which has an 18 billion pound ($23 billion) project to build two nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point, Britain and needs to spend 50 billion euros ($55.7 billion) on upgrading its ageing French nuclear plants. “The signs that we are receiving are that we are not at all involved,” the source said. While campaigning for the presidency, Emmanuel Macron said he would set up a 10 billion euro fund to promote industrial and research projects. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire on Thursday said the sale of state assets would start in September.
Reuters 8th July 2017 read more »