Construction of new EPRs in France: E. Macron relaunches nuclear war

Flamanville nuclear power plant (2019 illustraton) Reuters / Benoit Tessier / File photo

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The announcement of President Macron, during the televised address of November 9, the construction of new nuclear reactors is reacting.

If EDF is delighted with this announcement, on the side of the Greens and environmental defense associations, the reactions are quite different.

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Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday that France would relaunch a nuclear program and build new reactors on its soil.

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 : Emmanuel Macron, a speech in the clothes of a candidate

Currently only one reactor, called “new generation” or EPR (for European pressurized reactor) is under construction on the Flamanville site in the English Channel.

A site that has fallen behind with also a consequent inflation of costs: ten years late and an initial budget multiplied by three.

It should start operating at the end of 2022.

EPR versus SMR

EPRs are large nuclear reactors designed in the early 90s. Six projects should be launched in addition to the Flamanville one started in 2007. But EDF claims to have learned from its mistakes and is ready for the start of these projects. . 

Six large reactors, therefore nothing to do with the future SMR - small power plants already in service in China - promised by Emmanuel Macron in his France 2030 plan. But for the moment the EPR technology is the only one operational "from an industrial point of view. »According to the French Minister of Ecology Barbara Pompili. 

France will therefore take out its wallet.

This nuclear revival should cost the State 46 billion euros. 

Until recently, in October, the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) had to validate a

(on so-called “tapping” welds).

The Court of Auditors had already pointed out last year the “major” financial stake of such a program, quantifying the construction cost of six new generation EPRs (EPR2) at 46 billion euros.

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: A new report reveals the exorbitant cost of the Flamanville EPR

Bronca of environmentalists and left

Satisfaction on the part of the operator EDF who said he was “ 

 ” on Wednesday to build new EPRs in France. "EDF sincerely welcomes the statement by the President of the Republic, Mr. Macron, on television last night on the relaunch of new nuclear power plants in France," said Jean-Bernard Lévy, boss of the company.

But strong reactions of anger on the side of environmentalists. "The announcement of this revival was predictable, but it is incredible" was carried away the green deputy Matthieu Orphelin who demands a vast national debate. Same tone from the side of the socialist Anne Hidalgo and the ecologist Yannick Jadot, both presidential candidates, who denounced with one voice the “irresponsibility” of the presidential announcements. “ 

 tackled Julien Bayou, secretary general of Europe Ecology-The Greens.

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• France

• Energies

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• Emmanuel Macron