''Btw . Seeing as you are on the ground in France , could you comment on the expansion of nuclear power in France and the political aspect to it ? My understanding is that Macron was pretty keen to expand nuclear for his own re-election reasons.''
Nuclear is well accepted in France. Politically, it's important as anything that keeps the lights on - so, yes - politicians probably would promote it atm - as well as other forms of non fossil generation.
I guess, particularly in the light of Russia supplying a lot of European gas - French would rather trust france than Russia - as would most in Europe.
I'm going to be looking at something I've noticed where I am - or where I was up until yesterday - cruising down the coast south of Dieppe -------- some absolutely stunning coastline -
but, one can't fail to notice the massive power generation in the area ---- not only the second biggest nuke power plant in the country - but, also an offshore wind farm - in the Channel, close enough to see it in the distance. Then of course, you see wind farms on the land - as usual - even near Paluel. Then only 10km north of Dieppe is a site for another nuke. Not sure on progress there.
Masses of power generation.
Nuclear Power in France
(Updated August 2023)
France derives about 70% of its electricity from nuclear energy, due to a long-standing policy based on energy security.
Government policy, set under a former administration in 2014, aimed to reduce nuclear's share of electricity generation to 50% by 2025. This target was delayed in 2019 to 2035, before being abandoned in 2023.
In February 2022 France announced plans to build six new reactors and to consider building a further eight.
France is the world's largest net exporter of electricity due to its very low cost of generation, and gains over €3 billion per year from this.
The country has been very active in developing nuclear technology. Reactors and especially fuel products and services have been a significant export.
About 17% of France's electricity is from recycled nuclear fuel.
