French state-controlled utility firm EDF is “secretly planning” to extend the lifespan of 58 nuclear reactors in France by 10 to 20 years, pushing back the country’s energy mix targets, local BFM television reported Monday.
Citing an internal EDF plan, BFM said the nuclear giant intended to delay targets outlined in France’s 2015 energy transition law, which set a reduction in the share of nuclear power in the energy mix from current 75% to 50% share by 2025, to 2050.
By extending the operation period of its French reactors, the company would be prolonging a 40-year limit lifespan to 50 or 60 years, Kallanish Energy learns. Other plans include the construction of 25 new generation reactors between 2030 and 2050, BFM said.
EDF declined to comment on the report.
Last week, France’s newly named ecology minister, Nicolas Hulot – an environmental activist – confirmed the government would seek to reduce the share of nuclear in its power generation to 50% by 2025, and close the oldest nuclear power plant in the country.
