His position is in stark contrast to Germany, where nuclear power is on course to be phased out by next year.
France is Europe’s most nuclear-dependent country, getting around 70% of its electricity from nuclear energy
Speaking as the COP26 climate summit, Macron said:
- This is why, to guarantee France's energy independence, to guarantee our country's electricity supply and achieve our objectives, in particular carbon neutrality in 2050, we are going, for the 1st time in decades, to relaunch the construction of nuclear reactors in our country and continue to develop renewable energies
- These investments will allow us to live up to our commitments
- As we close COP26 in Glasgow, this is a strong message from France
The country is currently building a new 3rd-generation EPR nuclear reactor in Flamanville in Normandy.
The project, launched in 2007, is delayed and likely to be ready by 2023.
Politicians are divided over whether nuclear energy should be included in global plans to reduce carbon emissions.
The EU's decision on whether or not nuclear is «sustainable» has yet to be made.
