Elise Denjean with Laura Laplaud 2:07 p.m., February 10, 2022

Emmanuel Macron is going to Belfort this Thursday afternoon.

A highly symbolic trip to the manufacturing site of the Arabelle turbines that equip French nuclear power plants since he must unveil his nuclear recovery plan there.

The site, sold by Alstom in 2015 to the American General Electric, is about to be bought by EDF.

After announcing, last November, his intention to build new reactors in France, Emmanuel Macron must present this Thursday in Belfort his nuclear recovery plan in France as well as a global energy strategy.

The Head of State visits the manufacturing site of the Arabelle turbines which equip French nuclear power stations.

Emmanuel Macron must now detail his energy strategy with his sights set on 2050 and one objective, that of carbon neutrality.

"It's the project of the century", underlines the Elysée, which reminds us that we still consume two-thirds of fossil fuels today. 

Is a nuclear revival possible?

To get out of it, the president could well consider the construction of 14 new generation reactors.

A long-term program that would be in line with the scenarios of the RTE network operator with two possibilities: build 14 new EPRs by 2050, at the rate of two reactors every three years from 2035. Or else build 14 EPR and some SMR, small reactors.

In this context, the purchase of the old Arabelle turbines by EDF is crucial. 

>> READ ALSO

- Nuclear: "We will have to produce more carbon-free electricity", says Bruno Le Maire

The Head of State will no doubt also speak about the existing nuclear fleet, because obviously everything will depend on the lifespan of the installations in place.

An operation to which "the State will contribute and play its role", we assume in the ranks of Emmanuel Macron.

For the time being, the question of funding has not been settled, especially since France must hold discussions with the European Commission.

>> READ ALSO

- Dangers, price and timetable: three questions about future nuclear reactors

A project that will take time since it takes about 15 years for a reactor to come out of the ground.

This is why Emmanuel Macron will also call for accelerating renewable energies to meet growing electricity needs.

For Jacques Roger-Machart, a specialist in energy issues, it is urgent to decide on a nuclear energy program even if the announcements of the President of the Republic are likely to come up against two major difficulties.

"The first is to make people forget the failure of the Flamanville site, the second is the financing of EDF", he maintains.

A project that will cost "billions and billions"

"This program of six or 14 EPRs are billions and billions that will have to be faced, but EDF does not have these financing capacities", he reveals in Europe Midi on Thursday.

The author of

Progressistes pour le climat

 published by Atlande editions thus recommends that the government not launch headlong into a program of such magnitude.

We can "start with two EPR", this makes it possible to verify that the first electricity producer "is able to meet its promises and its commitments under the control of the Nuclear Safety Authority".