Emmanuel Macron finally determined the prospects for the development of energy in France. Speaking in Belfort, an industrial center in the north of the country, he made it clear that the main focus for the period up to 2050 will be on nuclear power plants. According to him, this "will allow to regain control over the energy destiny of France."
Frankly speaking, the head of the Fifth Republic made a strategic decision in this area back in November last year, when, addressing the nation from the Elysee Palace, he announced that "in order to ensure the country's energy security" the construction of nuclear reactors would be resumed. And now he outlined a specific program, naming the deadlines for implementation.
In addition to the fact that the current 56 nuclear reactors will continue their service, new ones will appear. We are talking about six reactors of the new generation EPR-2. Their construction will begin in 2028, and commissioning is scheduled for 2035. According to the Accounts Chamber, at least fifty and a half billion euros will be invested in this project. Moreover, eight more such units are provided - they will appear later.
In addition, Emmanuel Macron announced his intention to invest one billion euros in the development of small modular SMR reactors with a capacity of 50 to 500 MW. Their advantage is the relative ease of manufacture, assembly on a conveyor with further delivery to the place of operation.
Emmanuel Macron also spoke about renewable energy sources (RES), whose place in the energy balance of France is still small. Moreover, the focus will be on solar energy. Such stations, according to the president, “fit better into the landscape” compared to wind turbines. The volume of energy received from the sun is planned to be increased 10 times, and from the wind twice, for which 50 offshore wind parks will be created.
It must be said that in France there is a consensus regarding nuclear power plants, and for many decades now they have provided over 70 percent of electricity. Of course, there are also their opponents in the country. Basically it is "green" of different stripes. Therefore, one of their leaders, Yannick Jadot, who ran for the upcoming presidential election, reacting to Emmanuel Macron's policy speech, wrote on Twitter: "Macron condemns France to energy and industrial obsolescence until the end of this century." True, here few people paid attention to the criticism of the politician, whose chances in the upcoming presidential race are small: according to polls from social services, his rating fluctuates within five percent.
It should be noted that in Germany, neighboring France, no statements have yet been made regarding Macron's nuclear demarche. Most likely, Berlin will continue to remain silent. After all, the French approach to nuclear issues is radically different from the German one. Paris, which Emmanuel Macron once again confirmed, has relied on the "peaceful atom", in Germany, where the "greens" now control not only all the relevant ministries - economy, ecology, energy, but also the Foreign Ministry, are eradicating nuclear power plants with leaps and bounds. At the end of last year, half of the remaining six stations were closed, and by December 31, 2022, the same fate awaits the last three.
So the energy issue, which is the most urgent in today's times, has caused a serious split between the two leading EU countries. However, not only. This is evidenced by the fight over the recent statement by the European Commission on granting the atom a privileged "green" status, which will make it more attractive to investors.
It is well known that this decision, for obvious reasons, was pushed through by Paris, which won over eight EU member states of Eastern and Central Europe plus Finland. Germany, along with Austria and Luxembourg, turned out to be in opposition, putting an end to its nuclear energy sector. The Germans tore and threw. The F government even sent an official dispatch to the European Commission. In it, it refuses to recognize nuclear energy as "green", because, as it is emphasized there, it "does not correspond to the concept of sustainable development." Like, "accidents with a threat to people and the environment" are not excluded.
While Austria and Luxembourg are ready to apply to the European Court of Justice to challenge the decision of the European Commission, and it will finally enter into force in about five months, Berlin is also seriously considering this. In any case, German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock recently announced this. If this happens, then the crisis between Paris and Berlin on this track may become protracted, if not systemic.
bbabo.Net