News Briefs

摘要

France’s government has once again delayed the release of the country’s long-awaited long-term energy strategy (PPE). On November 15, government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux told France Inter Radio that the PPE, which was originally slated for release in October, has been delayed yet again because the government wanted to first complete another bill regarding financing legislation for railway, road, and infrastructure projects. The PPE is expected to set a schedule for the shutdowns of French nuclear power plants over the next two decades. The PPE is now expected to be published by the end of this month. In other news, French Environment Minister Francois de Rugy told the press on November 18 that France will seek to reduce its share of electricity produced by nuclear power to 50% by 2035. The government has sought to cut its nuclear reliance to 50%, but a deadline for this goal has remained unclear. De Rugy told CNews, that 2035 is “the deadline we’re working with” in formulating the country’s long-term energy strategy. Minister de Rugy also questioned the viability of constructing new EPRs in France. “What’s the future of the nuclear sector? Does it involve EPRs? That’s an open question today, as the technological reliability, safety and competitiveness of EPRs has not yet been proven,” he said.