The operating life extension of the reactor fleet in the French energy policy

This article is an interview of P. Sasseigne, the executive director of the Nuclear and Thermal Plants department of EDF. Not only nuclear energy is consistent with renewable energies deployment but it is its essential pillar because it can assure on a ground basis an important quantity of carbon-free electricity to support the progressive deployment of renewable energies and it can operate on an advanced load-following capability to compensate the alternative feature of renewable energies. The 'Grand Carenage' represents the works necessary to be allowed to extend the operating lives of French PWR by 10 or 20 more years. The Grand Carenage began in 2011 and its expected budget over the 2014-2025 period reaches 48,1 billions euros. (A.C.)