The French nuclear industry in deadlock. The burden of France's nuclear gamble in the era of the energy transition - Executive Summary

The deep crisis which the French nuclear industry is experiencing is no real novelty, despite the fact that its suddenness and extent may surprise even the most critical observers. It actually represents the outcome of a strategy launched at the end of the 1990's, of which the fundamental principles have long been considered flawed. The project involved an aggressive export development policy to make up for the foreseeable difficulties on a national level. The errors of judgment with regard to the international dynamics of nuclear power, its advantages for the country and the technical solutions put forward by French industry have turned projected growth into massive losses. Facing declining markets and increasing expenditure on a domestic level, EDF and Areva cannot keep up for long. The French State, which is liable for this strategic failure, must now step up and play its full role. The industrial restructuring that it has just undertaken is necessary, but alone will not save the industry. The deep roots of the crisis mean that tomorrow the same priorities cannot be profitable, and only genuine reorientation can prevent further disaster for the French economy. (authors)