France nuclear reactor gets green light
The EU today gave France the green light for a new atomic power reactor that will be a model for the next generation of nuclear power stations.
Electricite de France SA says the new station – to be built at Flamanville, northern France – will be able to generate 1,600 megawatts of energy using European pressurized-water reactor, or EPR, technology that aims to use 17% less fuel.
It should be operational by 2012, paving the way for other plants to adopt the technology by 2020, EDF said.
The company said some 58 French nuclear plants reach their 40th birthday around 2020 and may need to be shut down.
It wants to have the Flamanville 3 plant up and working as a “technically-tested and validated reactor model” in place before. This plant should have a longer life span of 60 years.
Under EU nuclear rules, the European Commission must clear investments to build or renovate nuclear power plants.
