In an effort to meet its carbon reduction targets, France has announced plans to build eight new nuclear plants on top of the six previously announced, according to the country's Energy Minister. Agnes Pannier-Runacher has stated that these additional reactors are necessary to achieve the desired reductions.

The forthcoming draft law, set to be presented soon, acknowledges the need for nuclear power beyond the initial six European Pressurised Reactors (EPRs) that were announced by President Emmanuel Macron in early 2022. Pannier-Runacher explained to Tribune Dimanche, a weekly newspaper, that the bill will include the construction of eight more plants, which were previously regarded as an "option" by the government.

Surprisingly, the proposed legislation will not include any specific targets for renewable energy generation by 2030. Pannier-Runacher clarified that the text remains "technologically neutral," highlighting the government's focus on the necessity of nuclear power.

France currently has a relatively low level of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union, with approximately 4.7 tonnes per capita in 2020, as reported by Climate Watch. This can be attributed to the country's existing fleet of 57 nuclear reactors, which were built from the 1970s. However, many of these reactors have required extensive and costly repairs in recent years.

Pannier-Runacher emphasized that the existing nuclear fleet will not last indefinitely, necessitating the construction of new facilities. France aims to decrease the share of energy derived from fossil fuels from over 60% at present to 40% by 2035. Achieving this target will require the construction of an additional 13 gigawatts of energy from 2026 onwards, equivalent to the power output of eight EPR reactors.

Furthermore, the energy minister suggested that discussions with lawmakers could potentially lead to the consideration of constructing even more than 14 nuclear reactors.

Notably, the construction of EDF's next-generation EPR reactors has encountered numerous challenges. Three EPRs are currently operational, one in Finland and two in China, after facing substantial construction delays and cost overruns. Similar issues have also affected projects in Britain and France.

EDF recently announced that the first EPR reactor in France, located in Flamanville, Normandy, is expected to begin testing in mid-2024. This comes after a construction period of 17 years and a total cost of €12.7 billion (approximately R260 billion), which is nearly four times the initial budget of €3.3 billion.

With the aim of achieving carbon reduction targets, France's decision to construct additional nuclear plants will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the country's energy landscape, though the challenges and costs associated with such projects cannot be overlooked. As the energy bill makes its way to parliament, discussions are expected to shape the final scope and scale of France's nuclear endeavors.