Complacency is not the answer [EdF and the French nuclear programme]

Although in France the Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) construction programme is complete, Electricite de France (EdF) has other problems to solve. It must invest in transmission and distribution, areas neglected in the promotion of nuclear power. There is also a need to provide peaking capacity which will be done by building gas turbines which use light oil or natural gas and have low capital costs and short lead times. They also have a rapid response time so that they can meet sudden surges in demand. In the long term the future is less certain because of doubts cast on the cost of nuclear generation and the future costs of decommissioning. Fast breeder reactors will not be economic for the next 50 years and so PWRs will continue to be the chosen type. With the slump in the United Kingdom nuclear programme, France is the only European country committed to building reactors, but nuclear power may no longer be politically feasible. (UK)