Source: France 24 [French state media]
“France is ‘far from ready’ to build six nuclear reactors, the state’s top audit body said on Tuesday, underlining the challenges the country faces in rejuvenating its ageing fleet of nuclear power plants. French President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan in 2022 for state-owned utility EDF to build six European pressurised reactors (EPRs). The cost was estimated at 51.7 billion euros ($52.73 billion), but revised up to 67.4 billion in 2023 on higher raw material and engineering costs. EDF planned to update that estimate by the end of last year but has not done so publicly. … France gets about 70% of its power from nuclear plants, but many of its ageing reactors will soon need to be retired.” (01/14/24)