EDF chief to Hollande: France needs more electricity, not less nuclear

Fessenheim Nuclear Power Station, slated to be closed by President Francois Hollande

"EDF chief Henri Proglio has positioned electricity as 'the energy of the future' while the country prepares to debate an 'energy transition'.

Speaking on 10 October to the French National Assembly, Henri Proglio set out to describe the future challenges faced by the electricity sector and how EDF is responding. His stance is crucial to the upcoming debate on energy instigated by President Francois Hollande, who was elected on a promise to reduce the share of nuclear energy in the mix to about 50% by 2025. Hollande has already decided that two reactors at the Fessenheim nuclear power plant should close early, effectively over-ruling a prior decision by safety regulators.

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Domestic electricity prices in France are 35% lower than the European average, said Proglio, while the country's per capita carbon dioxide emissions from all energy use are one third lower than Germany's. Because uranium imports are cheap, generating nuclear power at home helps to avoid fossil fuel imports, which made up 90% of the country's trade deficit last year. 'The existing nuclear fleet, together with hydro, provides a base for competitive French electricity. This is valuable asset for the country,' said Proglio."

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/EE_France_needs_more_electricity_not_less_nuclear_1510121.html