France faces energy production crisis, needs to restart nuclear plants

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 Aug 2022 23:46
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France seeks alternatives to Russian energy.

One of France's modern nuclear power plants.

Due to the escalating energy crisis in Europe, France will desperately need to restart its nuclear reactors, which were shut down previously, to avoid electricity shortages in winter, as announced by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Monday.

"We understand that the fleet of our nuclear power plants is experiencing a number of difficulties," Borne said at a meeting with French entrepreneurs.

"However, an urgent restart of the stopped nuclear reactors is necessary to avoid interruptions in the electricity supply this winter," she added.

Borne stressed that if there is no immediate alternative to gas supplies from Russia, this measure is necessary.

On August 25, EDF, a French energy company, launched 4 out of 12 nuclear reactors that were previously shut down for maintenance over corrosion which was detected in May by the French Nuclear Safety Authority.

As Europe struggles with unaffordable energy prices, it is reported that 32 out of 56 French nuclear reactors remain dormant for different reasons.

France is facing a crisis in energy production, described as "unprecedently difficult" in late July by government spokesperson Olivier Veran. France has taken rationing measures, such as banning illumination and air conditioners in stores at night time.

On his part, French President Emmanuel Macron will be holding a meeting for the French Defense and Security Council on Friday, September 2, to discuss the energy crisis.

The meeting will address the gas supply situation and the electricity price hike before winter. French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, and Energy Transformation Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher will be attending the meeting.

Divided opinions

With the increase in demand for power, a number of nations have declared a desire to build nuclear infrastructure, including China, which already possesses the most reactors, the Czech Republic, India, and Poland since nuclear energy provides an alternative to coal.

Similar goals are shared by the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and even the United States, where President Joe Biden's investment plan promotes the growth of the sector.

Due to the possibility of catastrophic accidents and the ongoing debate over how to adequately dispose of radioactive waste, IPCC experts acknowledge that the use of nuclear energy "can be constrained by societal preferences."

Some countries, like New Zealand, oppose nuclear, and the issue has also been hotly debated in the European Union over whether it should be listed as "green" energy.