France aims to close up to 17 nuclear reactors by 2025

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Europe

By CGTN’s Kate Parkinson

France plans to shut down up to 17 nuclear reactors over the next eight years.

It’s part of a transition towards environmentally-friendly energy being driven by Emmanuel Macron’s government.

France gets around 75 percent of its electricity from nuclear energy, due to a long-standing policy based on energy security.

This share may be reduced to fifty percent by 2025 as Nicolas Hulot, French Environment Minister, said he hoped France can move away from its reliance on nuclear energy and towards more renewable sources.

Nicolas Hulot, French Minister of Environment. /VCG Photo

There are currently 58 nuclear reactors operating across France.

Nicolas Hulot, who is also France’s best known environmental activist, suggested up to 17 power stations could be closed down by 2025.

Shutting down nuclear plants has been a hot-button issue in France. Trade unions said the plan would cripple the French nuclear sector and lead to massive job losses.

“We hope it will not happen. But if it does, we hope it will be decided on a case by case basis depending on how many workers there are at each site,” said Eric Thuillier, the Union Official.

VCG Photo

Last year nearly 20 percent of France’s electricity demand was generated from renewable sources.

France plans to double that to 40 percent by 2030, an ambitious target that has been welcomed by the green energy industry.

But some said the renewable revolution would still be thwarted by red tape.

“The main obstacle in France to develop a wind farm or a solar farm - but especially a wind farm - is to obtain a permit to have your project,” said Renaud Chevallaz-Perrier, director of operations of RES (France), a renewable energy company.

“It can take four to eight years to obtain it so that is four to eight years of development spent on the project before you can finance it and build it,” he said.