France has been one of the countries that has huge shortages of oil and coal reserves but has become energy efficient due to its utilization of nuclear power resources. Nearly, 99.8 % of French electricity comes from the countries 58 nuclear power reactors. The Electricite de France {EDF} is in charge of the generation and management of all these nuclear power plants. The generation capacity also makes EDF one of the world leaders in nuclear power production.
The French started building these nuclear reactors for civilian purposes in the 1950’s. During that time, there was little consensus on nuclear energy. The French took a bold decision on nuclear power reactors, looking at their own state of energy deficit resources. This strategy has paid off thirty years later. Today, France produces enough surplus energy to run its residential and industrial districts; and high speed railroads. French nuclear plants supply power to Germany, Italy and England.
The company that controls the nuclear industry in France is called AREVA. It is responsible for uranium mining, plant design construction and radioactive waste disposal. AREVA and the EDF are already in construction of new plants in France and Finland. A next generation nuclear reactor, called the European Pressurized Reactor has been commissioned by the French Government.
Bertrande Durrande, the Executive Vice President for Manufacturing at AREVA estimates that in the next 20 years, about 20 new nuclear power plants would be built. The US market in nuclear energy is the strongest. The US had stopped building reactors from 1970 onwards. But with the rising prices of oil, nuclear fuel has become an attractive option.
One of the great drawback in the adoption of nuclear energy as a source of power production is the fear of accidents. The Chernobyl and the Three Mile Island disasters has been the primary cause of this fear. But with efficient practices, nuclear accidents can be curbed to a great extent.
In the next article, we would take a greater in-depth look at nuclear energy.
References:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/reaction/readings/french.html
http://www.npcil.nic.in/nupower_vol13_2/npfr_.htm
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/06/60minutes/main2655782.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_in_France
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