The number of reactors will be insufficient in 2030, according to Henri Proglio

According to H. Proglio, CEO of EDF, a gain of 20% in energy efficiency will not be sufficient to cope with the natural growth of the electricity consumption in the country (+2% a year due to economic growth, and +2% a year due to population growth) in the decades to come. In 2030 the demand in electricity will be such that the present reactor fleet will not be sufficient to produce 50% of the electricity production, contrary to what is expected by the government. Concerning the observed drift in the construction costs of new reactors, the CEO of EDF states that means exist to maintain costs at the level of a fossil plant: between 75 and 90 euros/MWh and that nuclear power will remain competitive against renewable energies whose costs can decrease only marginally. (A.C.)