Nuclear+Power+in+France


 * __Nuclear Power in France __**

Tricastin Nuclear Power Plant in France



In France, nuclear power is the primary source of energy, contributing more than 75% of their energy and thus France cannot do without nuclear energy. France has a nuclear fleet of 58 reactors spreading over in 19 different sites. It is also the world’s largest exporter of electricity due to its low cost of generation, thus making the reactors, fuel products and services becoming their major exports. The rapid development of nuclear energy for France was during the oil crisis in 1973 whereby the oil prices were rocketing high causing the world’s economy to slump during that period of time. Hence the heavy reliance on fossil fuels was too risky for the economy of France and so alternative sources for energy have to be explored. As a result, nuclear power has essentially replaced almost all fossil fuels in France and in turn has helped contribute to sustainable development. France has one of the lowest levels of carbon dioxide emissions per capita in the world because she has exercised proper care and responsibility so as to minimize the negative impact on their environment. Over the last 20 years, France has invested more than $160 billion in its nuclear program and has thus become a world leader in nuclear energy. France is also second in the world behind the United States in terms of the total nuclear power generation with a contribution of 15.9 percent of the world’s nuclear electricity. The Tricastin Nuclear Power Plant built in 1974 is one of the 59 French plants that provide more than 75 percent of the country’s electricity.

**Evolution of French Electricity Consumption 1990-2007 **
 * (By source, in kWh) **



The above chart shows the total French Electricity Consumption from 1990 – 2007, whereby electricity consumption increased from 323 TWh to 448 TWh which represented an increase of 39%. The nuclear power percent also increased from 74% (240/323) in 1990 to 76.7% (344/448) in 2007. The French government has been relied heavily on nuclear power since 1970 oil crisis and its share increased steadily too. It reached the peak in 2004 and we started to see some other renewable energy sources. But, the other renewable energy sources are far less than the market of nuclear power and thus, in the foreseeable future, nuclear power will remain as the dominant energy source for France.