Climate Changed
Can France Mix Nuclear and Renewable Power?
- EDF says its reactors can be perfect complement to wind, solar
- Utility faces huge investments to adapt for the future
An EDF nuclear power plant in Bugey, France.
Photographer: Balint PornecziThis article is for subscribers only.
France’s nuclear giant has a plan to survive the wave of renewable energy that’s sweeping aside old-fashioned utilities across Europe. First it needs to disprove the conventional wisdom about how reactors work.
Electricite de France SA says its fleet of nuclear reactors aren’t just able to provide a steady stream of power, they’re flexible enough to complement a large fluctuating supply of renewable energy. Combined with a 25 billion-euro ($31 billion) solar plan and potential investments in huge batteries, the utility says it can ride out the energy upheaval, while also helping the French government fulfill its goal of cutting reliance on nuclear power.