EDF will set ambitious targets for the construction of nuclear reactors for the coming years.
For several years, EDF has been at the center of the concerns of leaders, but also of the country’s citizens. Previously a national pride providing inexpensive electricity, the group seems to have suffered a loss of efficiency for two decades, notably with an aging fleet of power plants, the lifespan of which may need to be extended. Enough to push the group to relaunch major works, if we are to believe its CEO.
Towards a rise in power for EDF
Big plans are back at EDF. This is what his boss Luc Rémont says. The latter in fact aims to significantly increase the group’s production capacities, which will be brought to the construction of ” 1 to 1.5 reactors per year » on the European continent, its most important market.
A figure which must be reached within the next decade, and which will require an extremely significant effort for the French group. Because at present, it would rather be at a rate of one to two large reactors per decade.
In search of competitiveness
Still according to comments reported by Le Figaroit should be an increase in power carried out ” gradually “. Luc Rémont is all the more confident as he recalls that during the 70s and 80s, EDF built four reactors per year.
The objective? Seek ” the massification effect to improve competitiveness “. And thus get out of the rut in which the company was stuck since the early 2000s. “ From the moment we know that we are going to make a certain number, we organize the supply chain, we organize the work to produce this series, we will get there and we will increase the pace, as in any industry » he enthused.
Nuclear energy has seen a comeback since the war in Ukraine and the abandonment of Russian gas by the European Union. At the end of November, it was recognized by the European Parliament, alongside renewable energies, as a green industry. This should make it possible to support its development to move forward on decarbonization.
Source : Le Figaro
65