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France looks to boost nuclear energy exports
Flamanville, France (AFP) Feb 6, 2009 President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday that France was aiming to become a leading exporter of atomic energy as he toured the construction site of the newest-generation nuclear reactor. Addressing workers at the Flamanville nuclear site on France's northern Normandy coast, Sarkozy defended his decision to build a second new nuclear reactor in Penly and said a third one was on the cards. "Our strategy is to develop nuclear power with the EPR", he said. "We have signed on for two and I am thinking about a third one in the years to come." The European pressurized water reactor (EPR) under construction in Flamanville is to come on line in 2012 and last week Sarkozy announced that a second one would be built also in northern France. "There is a world to conquer in energy," Sarkozy said. "France, which does not have oil or gas, will become an energy exporter. That is the ambition that I have set for you," he told staff from EDF, nuclear giant Areva and construction firm Bouygues. Sarkozy has actively promoted sales of French nuclear reactors abroad and holds up France's current network of 58 reactors as one of the safest and cleanest in the world. France exports about 15 percent of its nuclear-generated electricity to neighbouring countries. "Our country needs this investment," Sarkozy said, adding that France could develop nuclear energy and also meet its European Union commitment to ensure that 23 percent of its energy needs is drawn from renewables. Sarkozy also said he hoped to reach a decision soon on new investment partnerships for Areva after Germany's Siemens decided last month to sell back to Areva a 34 percent share it held in a subsidiary group. French engineering firm Alstom is seeking to boost its stake, but Areva chief executive Anne Lauvergeon opposes such a move. "We will be thinking about the industrial partnerships that would be best for Areva," Sarkozy said. "I hope to reach a decision soon." Related Links Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Science, Nuclear Technology Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com
Finnish Fortum seeks permit for a new nuclear reactor
Helsinki (AFP) Feb 5, 2009Finnish utility group Fortum submitted an application to the government Thursday to build a new nuclear reactor in Finland, the company said. |
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