Suez to construct EPR in France?
[Platts, 14 February; Les Echos, 15 February] Utility group Suez is planning to build a third-generation Evolutionary Pressurized Water Reactor (EPR) at the Tricastin site in France, according to French and Belgian press reports. Suez refused to confirm plans to construct the plant, with a postulated start-up date of 2015, only saying that no decision has been made at this time, although the reports have suggested that plans are advanced. Belgian energy group Electrabel, owned by Suez, has been stating its intentions to build new nuclear plant in other countries since 2004. No formal announcement is likely until after forthcoming presidential elections. If the project were to go ahead, this would be the first nuclear power plant in France not to be controlled by state utility Electricité de France (EdF). Due to political factors in Belgium's governing coalition, a January 2003 Act prohibited the construction of new nuclear power plants and limited the operating lives of existing ones to 40 years.
Further information
WNA's Nuclear Power in Belgium information paper
WNA's French Nuclear Power Program information paper
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