Macron gives a speech at the GE plant in Belfort
France plans for new nuclear reactors
President Emmanuel Macron calls for renaissance of the French nuclear industry as part of transition to net zero
French president Emmanuel Macron has set out plans to build up to fourteen new nuclear power plants over the coming decades as part of the country’s transition to net zero. Macron has committed to building six reactors, with construction scheduled to start in 2028 and the first new reactor commissioned by 2035. France will study the possibility of a further eight plants. Macron also says he wants to extend the lifetime of France’s existing nuclear fleet. “What we have to build today—because it's the right moment—is the renaissance of the French nuclear industry," says Macron, who faces presidential elections later this year. These new builds are a “choice of progress, a choice of confidence
Also in this section
14 January 2025
Bioenergy will be a key part of the energy transition as the world decarbonises, and Brazil is set to be a major player in the sector
14 January 2025
The region has ample resources of both gas and renewable energy and developing both will be vital to the global effort to reduce emissions
13 January 2025
The region’s fast-growing economies stand at a pivotal juncture, with the opportunity to drive a sustainable growth strategy that will keep the world’s net-zero ambitions alive
10 January 2025
Global energy demand keeps rising, and digital technology will play a crucial role in both meeting that demand and doing so in a sustainable way
