Nuclear power is a subject that pushes each candidate in the presidential election to position themselves. This question sparks debates on the different visions of the energy future, even within certain political families.
Emmanuel Macron
During the unveiling of the “France 2030” investment plan, the Head of State indicated that he wanted to “reinvent nuclear power”. For this, Emmanuel Macron had announced the development of “small modular reactors (SMR)”. The sum of one billion euros will be allocated to this objective.
“We will, for the first time in decades, relaunch the construction of nuclear reactors in our country and continue to develop renewable energies,” he said in a televised address.
The overall project aims to “guarantee the energy independence of France to guarantee the electricity supply of our country and achieve our objectives, in particular carbon neutrality in 2050”.
Marine Le Pen
The representative of the National Rally believes that Emmanuel Macron made a “major error” by closing the Fessenheim nuclear power plant. It proposes to reopen this site, as well as to build “six EPR”.
I have always considered nuclear power to be an industry with a future and essential for France’s energy independence.
Unlike Emmanuel Macron, I will not change my mind based on electoral interests: this sector can count on my determination! pic.twitter.com/HcYMsBtkpE
– Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) November 19, 2021
In addition, Marine Le Pen intends to remove all wind turbines from French landscapes.
If elected, she will dismantle those already built and stop “the construction sites which are currently in progress”.
Valerie Pécresse
The Republican candidate is in favor of a “massive remobilization of the nuclear industry”. During a trip to the site of the Bugey power plant (Ain), she denounced the closure of the Fessenheim power plant (Haut-Rhin) and the scheduled shutdown of twelve other reactors by 2035, diagnosing “a real energy disaster” in France.
To remedy this, the president of the Ile-de-France region wishes to relaunch six EPRs by 2035, “deal with the question of waste” and “ensure research to work on the fourth generation nuclear reactor”.
The protection and revival of the atom are, according to her, essential to reach “zero carbon in 2035”. In addition, if she is elected, Valérie Pécresse will also ask her Prime Minister “to establish a major rescue plan for EDF”.
I will also make a big plan to remobilize the nuclear sector in France and to save #EDF pic.twitter.com/3DvXwJoPMp
— Valerie Pécresse (@vpecresse) January 29, 2022
Eric Zemmour
The former journalist and polemicist is surely the most categorical about the development of nuclear power. Considering that this is “French know-how”, Eric Zemmour wants to build fourteen EPRs by 2050 as well as extending the life of the plants to 60 years.
He also plans to “drop the wind turbines”, believing that it was “a disaster, because it’s awful and it makes the French landscape ugly”.
At the same time, the candidate plans to develop geothermal energy or biomass in order to compensate for “the large electricity needs” that nuclear power plants cannot meet on their own.
Yannick Jadot
For the environmentalist candidate, 2022 is “the year when everything must change”. As a result, he is campaigning for the shutdown of 10 nuclear reactors by 2035.
Considering the constantly postponed construction of the Flamanville EPR as “an absolute fiasco”, Yannick Jadot wants a commission of inquiry to be carried out.
The representative of the Greens also intends to “renationalize” Electricité de France (EDF). “I want EDF to become a powerful, coherent strategic tool at the service of the energy transition,” he declared.
What I want is for EDF to become a coherent strategic tool at the service of the energy transition. I proposed an energy check of 300 euros for the families most affected by the rise in energy prices. #TheGrandJury #Jadot2022
—Yannick Jadot (@yjadot) January 16, 2022
Jean-Luc Melenchon
The rebellious deputy, presidential candidate for the third time, was categorical. “We have to get out of nuclear power. Not by ideology, but because it is dangerous and more and more”, he said during a meeting in Nantes.
For Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the end of nuclear power will be made possible for 2045 “by the drop in consumption” and “the development of renewable energies, support for network infrastructures and investment in energy innovations”.
Fabien Roussel
“We have to invest heavily. I am in favor of creating a sector dedicated to nuclear to train CAPs up to engineers”, this is what the candidate of the Communist Party declared on the set of Public Senate.
Nuclear: “I make the assumed choice to say that we must invest in the production of renewable energies, but also in nuclear power. We need training dedicated to the sector, from the welder to the engineer.” @Fabien_Roussel #HelloHome pic.twitter.com/vZ3bUR32BG
— Public Senate (@publicsenat) February 2, 2022
If this position arouses tensions with the other candidates on the left, in particular Jean-Luc Mélenchon, it is assumed by Fabien Roussel who, in his program, provides for the construction of “six additional EPRs at least”.
One of the reasons pushing the PCF candidate to support nuclear power, at the heart of an “energy mix” project, is the price of energy bills. Indeed, they could be “twice as expensive”, if France were to withdraw.
Anne Hidalgo
If she refuses to build new power plants, the socialist candidate intends to extend the life of the current reactors. Judging that the end of nuclear power will be “not before 2050”, Anne Hidalgo thinks that France still needs this energy and cannot “exit nuclear power in 20 years”.
In her program, the mayor of Paris is counting on the extension of the power stations and proposes “a large fairing”, that is to say a vast industrial project aimed at extending the operating life of nuclear power stations, beyond the planned forty years.
To achieve 100% renewable energy, Anne Hidalgo intends to redirect public investment, including that of the recovery plan.
Christiane Taubira
The winner of the popular primary gradually unveils her program. On her site, Christiane Taubira explains that “the debate on the evolution of our renewable energies will be proposed to citizens through the referendum on nuclear power”.
Philippe Poutou
The NPA’s position on nuclear is historically against it.
His representative is one of the most hostile candidates. It demands the exit from nuclear power in ten years maximum.
For several years, Philippe Poutou has also participated in anti-nuclear demonstrations.
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan
The president of “Debout La France” wants to maintain nuclear power at 70% of minimum electricity production. All this to prepare for the abandonment of 50% of nuclear power in electricity production in 2035.
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan believes that “it is through new generation power plants that we will be able to fight against global warming”.
His investment is, for him, essential. More than wind turbines. Indeed, the former mayor of Yerres (Essonne) would not want to build any during his five-year term.
John Lassalle
To date, the deputy of Pyrénées-Atlantiques has not unveiled a nuclear program.
If elected, Jean Lassalle will develop solar energy as well as that of the sea.
Nathalie Arthaud
For Lutte Ouvrière, the fight against capitalism comes first. On her campaign site, Nathalie Arthaud estimated that as long as we accept the stranglehold of the big capitalist groups “on the economy, the speeches on the fight against global warming, the safeguard of the sea or even renewable energies will remain dead letter”.