Liberté, égalité, Radioactivité
4 hours ago
- #French Infrastructure
- #Energy Policy
- #Nuclear Energy
- France built 40 nuclear reactors in the 1970s, largely decarbonizing its grid with 70% of electricity from nuclear power.
- France's nuclear success stemmed from political courage, regulatory focus, and a tax system incentivizing local communities to host reactors.
- Early challenges included poor technology choices (gas-graphite reactors) and institutional infighting between CEA and EDF.
- The 1973 oil crisis prompted the Messmer Plan, committing France to a rapid PWR reactor buildout with standardized designs and bulk orders.
- France's centralized governance and weak anti-nuclear movement enabled swift construction, avoiding legal delays seen in the US/UK.
- Local tax benefits (e.g., Taxe Professionnelle) turned host communities into pro-nuclear advocates, funding infrastructure and lowering taxes.
- Costs rose post-1980s due to overbuilding, larger reactor complexity, and stricter safety regulations post-Three Mile Island/Chernobyl.
- France's 1991–2004 construction freeze led to lost expertise, causing delays/cost overruns in projects like Flamanville-3 (EPR).
- China replicated France's model, localizing 900MW reactor designs and achieving rapid, low-cost builds.
- Post-Ukraine War, France reversed anti-nuclear policies, planning 6 new reactors and exploring SMRs to ensure energy sovereignty.