The French nuclear development program a success today, an asset for the future

The two oil crises induced France to take up a triple challenge: limiting the cost of the country's energy supply, reducing its dependency on foreign energy supplies and diversifying its sources of supply. From this triple point of view, nuclear electricity rapidly emerged as a key factor in the French energy policy. In that consideration, France has been making a major effort in restructuring its electricity supply system since 1974. Its effort is now bearing fruit. From a technical standpoint, 40 GWe of nuclear power are already commissioned, accounting for 65% of the electricity generated. As for power plants themselves or the fuel cycle, the results, relating to the management of costs, availability and environmental preservation confirm the validity of the general orientations taken. Since electricity in France relies, to a large extent on nuclear energy, it is available, competitive and entails foreign currency savings. The future development of nuclear power in the electricity generation system is basically dependent on domestic demand for electricity. This trend will be mainly based on electricity penetration in different economic energy sectors as a substitute for imported fuels. A study of past and present trends illustrate the potential of nuclear electricity and the problems related to its output. The successful implementation of a major programme necessitates mastering the technology by undertaking research and development work at the proper time. Design requires a long period of time, and planning should be carried out on a long-term basis. Research undertaken today relating to fast breeder reactors which could do away with uranium supply constraints, plays a determinant role in the future of the system. The assertion and extension of the role played by nuclear electricity necessitates the follow up of research and development programmes for improving the present systems, especially the PWR, developing fuel cycle plants and designing new systems