Why does France use small nuclear power plants?

Dusseldorf, Paris A few weeks ago, Emmanuel Macron spoke to entrepreneurs and students for two hours about his vision for France 2030. According to the French president, the country must become digital, dynamic and green. One of Macron’s main themes: nuclear power. He described the fact that France has many nuclear power plants as “a stroke of luck”.

The carbon dioxide balance in the country is already much better than that of most other neighboring countries. About 70 percent of the electricity comes from nuclear power – but the reactors are now obsolete. Macron has announced the construction of new nuclear power plants – and also based on new types of small reactors. According to the president, the so-called Small Modular Reactors (SMR) are “future technology.”

France began developing small reactors about ten years ago. Above all, companies and researchers hope they will provide more safety, greater energy efficiency, and less radioactive waste.