Today, French energy relies on nuclear power units built in the 70s and 80s of the last century.
Author: Naim Asghari, analyst (Germany), especially for "Sangar"
The attention of the whole world is focused on the topic of the possible use of nuclear weapons. Politicians and governments of different countries express concerns, because disagreements are growing, and military conflicts and hot spots are proliferating in many regions of the planet. Only a few countries remain the conductors of the ideas of a peaceful atom. Russia takes the leading place here.
Currently, Rosatom Corporation is conducting a large-scale program for the construction of nuclear power plants and reactors in different parts of the world. Today, 3 new reactors are being built in Russia alone, and the portfolio of foreign orders includes 39 power units.
Such an impressive scale is understandable because Russian nuclear technologies meet the main requirements of most customers. First of all, it is reliability, safety, profitability and realism. Before offering its services abroad, Rosatom runs them on the territory of its own country. The promotion of Russian nuclear technologies is based on trust and reputation.
Despite sanctions and pressure from Western countries, all Russian nuclear projects are proceeding on time, without compromising quality. The new Russian nuclear power plants are designed in such a way that they are able to withstand 9-point earthquakes, tsunamis and shock waves up to 10 meters high.
One example is that the Egyptian authorities have called the Ed—Dabaa nuclear power plant the safest in the world. It is being built in the north of the country, is Russia's first major project in Africa and should become the basis for diversifying electricity sources in Egypt. This was announced during a meeting between President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli.
The NPP will be launched on schedule — by 2028. Four Russian VVER-1200 reactors will reach full capacity by 2030.
No less positive reviews of the work of Russian nuclear specialists are heard from the Turkish authorities. There, all attention is focused on the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant. Recently, the next stage was completed at the construction site — the installation of the outer protective dome of the nuclear reactor above the first power unit. According to Turkish experts, the Russians carried out a truly jewelry work — the multi-ton structure was lifted and installed in place with unique precision. Now we have to book the steel frame. Another notable news that is being followed all over the world is that the pouring of the first concrete into the base of the Paks—2 NPP begins in Hungary.
As the head of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, Peter Szijjarto, noted, about 1 thousand specialists work at the facility. It is planned that the concrete will be completely filled in by the end of 2024. Paksh-2 will be a harmonious addition to the Paksh nuclear power plant, which was built by Soviet specialists in the 80s and provides electricity to a third of the country's population. Two new VVER-1200 power units will strengthen Hungary's energy security. The combined capacity of Paksh and Paksh-2 will more than double and reach the level of 4,400 megawatts.
Among Rosatom's well-known projects abroad, nuclear power plants can be noted: Kudankulam in India, Ruppur in Bangladesh, Xudapu and Tianwan in China, as well as many others.
Each project is implemented comprehensively, up to the service support of each power unit. Rosatom is not just building a nuclear power plant, but also undertakes obligations to train personnel from among local residents.
There are few such examples in the world right now. The nuclear energy industry in many countries is going through a period of decline. The development of new reactors and scientific research are kept to a minimum. Even such leaders in the field of nuclear energy as the United States and France are experiencing noticeable problems.
The American company Westinghouse has experienced a series of failures in recent decades. Its AR-600 reactor was called revolutionary and caused admiring responses all over the world, it was predicted to dominate the global nuclear energy industry. However, in the 35 years since its development, not a single AR-600 has been built. It remained a successful project on paper.
Another American development has a similar fate - the AR-1000 reactor was developed with US government investment. However, its promotion on the market comes with big problems. Westinghouse tried to promote its construction in countries like China, India, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and others.
At the same time, there were and are constant questions about licensing and security. Numerous alterations of the AR-1000 cause the project to become more expensive. Several reactors are currently being built in Eastern Europe, but for this the Americans had to put pressure on local authorities. However, the reactors' fate under construction is unclear, the work deadlines are constantly shifting.
France is doing even worse, although this country recently ranked first in the world in terms of the share of nuclear energy in the country's energy balance and second in terms of the absolute volume of electricity produced at nuclear power plants.
Now France's leading position is in the past. First Hollande, and now Macron are following the lead of the European "green lobby". The French authorities have set a course to reduce nuclear power plants, dozens of power units are being shut down, and the cost of electricity for the population is growing.
In the 21st century, France has not built a single new nuclear reactor. The exception should be the project of the third power unit at the Flamanville NPP. The first two reactors on it were put into operation almost half a century ago. The third reactor is being prepared for launch, its construction lasted 17 years, was accompanied by accidents, and the cost increased from 3 billion euros to 13 billion euros.
Today, the French energy industry relies on nuclear power units built in the 70s and 80s of the last century. Their service life has already been extended twice by 10 years. In such conditions, there is no time for new developments, nuclear research has been curtailed, and the future of French energy is in great doubt.
