The manager of the French electricity network RTE published a report on the future of the electricity system, and whose government praised Monday "the rigor, quality and ambition".

The conclusions of this work carried out for two years by RTE underline the essential development of renewables to achieve carbon neutrality, but also the economic advantage of building new nuclear reactors.

This report "defines as thoroughly as possible the realistic paths so that our electricity system will allow us to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050", underlines the entourage of the Minister for the Ecological Transition, Barbara Pompili, in charge of the 'energy.

"Building new nuclear reactors is relevant"

RTE presented its main conclusions on the future of the system by 2050 on Monday. "Achieving carbon neutrality is impossible without a significant development of renewable energies", underline the authors in particular. From an economic point of view - the treatment of this aspect constitutes a novelty of the report -, "building new nuclear reactors is relevant", they also conclude. President Emmanuel Macron, in favor of nuclear power, reserves for the moment his decision on the launch of six new EPRs, new generation reactors.

Barbara Pompili, a longtime nuclear critic, has for her part changed her position.

"All the options are on the table, including the construction of new reactors, because to meet the climate challenge and provide the French with carbon-free energy, we must look at everything," she argued in a recent interview with the Express.

"I have never changed my mind about nuclear power and its drawbacks (its cost, waste, safety) but the situation has changed since the start of the five-year term", she underlined, referring to the increase in needs. in electricity to meet climate targets.

"My priority is to apply the Paris agreement and do everything to get out of fossil fuels as quickly as possible," she said.

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